How Modern Fireworks Displays Operate
Modern firework displays use computers to send a timed electric signals. The signals will trigger a fuse to a lift charge that launches the shells out of the mortar cannons and puts them into the air, and at the same a second fuse is lighted called a time fuse that dictates when the shell will explode in the air.The amount of black powder and the length of the time fuse determine how high the shell will go before it explodes. When the firework reaches the desired height, the time fuses lights the bursting charge This releases the fine metal powders packed inside the shell. in all directions based on the way the shell was packed.
The exploding metal powders burn in a bright showers of colored sparks. The electrons in these metal particles become hot and excited, giving off light, called photons. Different metals give off different colors of light. There may also be chemicals that make crackles or whistles.
The tremendous booms that you hear are made of the rapid release of energy into the air. This air expands faster than the speed of sound and produces a shock wave called a sonic boom. Flash powder makes the noise.
