SKS Fireworks, LLC

1. SKSFireworks, LLC Wholesale and Retail Fireworks Student 1, Historical Technician Student 2, Safety and Explosion Coordinator Student 3, Engineer of Construction and Design

2. History of Fireworks

3. The Chinese Although no one is for certain when fireworks actually were created, experts do know that they were developed in ancient China, during the Han dynasty (about 200 B.C.) long before the rest of the world had any knowledge of them.

4. The First Time • It is believed that the first firework was actually a chunk of green bamboo that someone threw into a fire. The “firecracker” began to sizzle and eventually ended with a loud POP!

5. Great Minds The Chinese developed two of the major components in fireworks. They invented paper and the substance which causes the explosions, gunpowder. However, gunpowder was developed long before guns or combustible firearms were developed.

6. How to Make Gunpowder • Gunpowder is simply a mixture of carbon, sulfur, and saltpeter. • Carbon can be found as pure charcoal. • Sulfur can be found in any gardening store. • Saltpeter can be found in some drugstores, or gardening stores.

7. Gunpowder Continued… • Each substance must be ground into a powder and then mixed together. • We will be using a ball mill with lead balls to grind the gunpowder.

8. The Process. . • When mixed with the charcoal, the saltpetre burns rapidly producing glowing sparks. If you add some sulfur to the mix, it will burn even more hastily, producing smelly smoke. If you place the mixture inside a tube of paper and light it, a fiery jet is produced

9. The Process Cont’d… • Chinese most likely developed fireworks because they enjoyed making loud noises at religious ceremonies and festivals.

10. Charcoal • Charcoal is a black solid, which is created when wood is heated in a fire. • It is the first of the three ingredients that are crucial to making gunpowder.

11. Sulfur • The next ingredient is Sulfur, an often crumbly yellow substance that can be found in many parts of the world. • When sulfur is burned it puts off a bluish flame and an awful smell similar to rotten eggs.

12. Saltpetre • The final main ingredient is saltpetre. • Saltpetre is a white powder resembling salt. • When put into a fire, it burns very furiously.

13. Fireworks Safety • Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114.• Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks.• Keep fireworks in a closed box. • Follow the instructions on each firework.• Light at arm's length, using a punk.• Stand well back. • Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn’t gone off, it could still explode.• Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.• Always supervise children around fireworks.• Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves.• Never give sparklers to a child under five.• Keep pets indoors.

14. Fireworks Safety Continued… Black powder is one of the most dangerous explosives because it ignites easily by heat, friction, or spark. In 2005, almost half of injuries caused by fireworks were to children under 18.

15. PYROTECHNICS The art of firework creating

16. COLOR PRODUCTION • Colors are produced by heating metal salts that emit characteristic colors • Atoms of each element absorb energy and release it as light of specific colors • Energy absorbed by an atom rearranges its electrons from ground state • Excess energy of excited state is emitted as light, as electrons descend to lower-energy states • Amount of energy emitted is characteristic of the element and the amount of energy determines firework color

17. COLOR PRODUCTION INCANDESCENCE LUMINESCENCE Light NOT produced from heat Electron of atom or molecule absorbs energy, becoming unstable Photons (light) released when electron returns to lower energy state. Photon’s energy determines its wavelength (color) • Light produced from heat • Heat causes substance to become hot and glow: emitting infrared, then red, orange, yellow, and white light as it becomes hotter • When temperature is controlled, glow can be manipulated to desired color (temp.) at the proper time

19. SOUND • The tremendous booms heard are the result of the rapid release of energy into the air, causing the air to expand faster than the speed of sound, producing a shock wave or a sonic boom

20. Most Popular Fireworks: • Firecrackers • Gunpowder wrapped in paper w/ a fuse • Sparklers • Chemical mixture molded onto a rigid stick or wire • Rockets & Aerial Shells • Gunpowder based • Some modern ones use compressed air as propellant and an electronic timer to explode

21. Gunpowder: 75% potassium nitrate, 15% charcoal or sugar, 10% sulfur Component in gunpowder react when heat is applied (lighting the fuse) Charcoal or sugar is the fuel Potassium nitrate is the oxidizer Sulfur moderates reaction FIRECRACKERS

22. Oxidizer Fuel: charcoal and sulfur Binder (holds mixture together): sugar or starch Mix in water, forming a slurry that can be coated on wire or poured into a tube Once dry…BAM!! You have a sparkler Fuel and oxidizer are proportioned so it burns slowly for several minutes of fun! SPARKLERS

23. A tube containing gunpowder is lit with a fuse Gunpowder is used to propel firework in the air A hole at bottom of firework lets expanding N and CO2 launch into sky Packing of gunpowder, more oxidizer, and colorants determines shape AERIAL SHELLS

24. Why you should choose SKS Fireworks… Each of our employees are over 18. They are very experienced in handling fireworks, so your students are safe. Company policy prohibits drinking on the job. All of our fireworks are legal.