the-BA : Colourful rockets

Everyone enjoys a good firework display! Most fireworks have some sort of rocket component that fires part, or all of the entire firework up into the air. The rocket system works by expelling the gases produced when the firework ignites, out of the back of the firework, which then recoils upwards. The colours produced when a firework explodes are produced by burning chemicals – different chemicals give different colours. As the chemicals heat up they give out light in the form of sparks.

Have you ever wondered how fireworks work?

You might like to …

• build and test a model rocket kit. These can be bought from most good toy or model shops, and are powered by a small chemical rocket engine, ignited by an electric launch controller
• investigate and carry out tests to discover the different colours produced by different chemicals when they are heated
• contact a firework manufacturer to find out what they use to make their fireworks; find out how they test their products.

Further links:
http://people.howstuffworks.com/fireworks.htm

	Home

	Clubs, CREST Awards and Fairs (5-19 yrs)

	CREST Awards (11-19 year olds)

	About CREST

	Project ideas

	Entertainment

	Paaaaarty!

	Flash with the bass

	Colourful rockets

	Show us your moves

	Keeping cool

	A flat dilemma

	Further Guidance