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Fireworks

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Fireworks
Introduction Whether it be the 4th of July, a day at Disneyland, or Chinese New Year, fireworks can be used to appeal to people of all ages, genders, and races. These low explosive pyrotechnic devices are primarily used for aesthetic or entertainment purposes. Fireworks come in various forms, including sparklers, firecrackers, basic fireworks, and ariel or display fireworks. Those who watch firework displays find that those can be broken into smaller categories by four primary effects. These effects include noise, light, smoke, and floating material. Because of the varying types available, it is common for fireworks to be classified by how they perform, whether it be on the ground or more commonly, aerial. The overall dangers associated with that particular kind of firework is another factor of classification as well. Although fireworks can be easily found in stores and on display, few people truly understand the physical and chemical properties that exist to cause a complex chemical combustion like this to occur. Due to the general public’s lack of awareness, it is common for severe injuries and even death to take place. Despite the government’s best efforts to accurately classify fireworks, consumers still manage to get a hold of illegal fireworks without proper licensing and remain unaware of the potential dangers. In the United States, fireworks are classified as either consumer or display fireworks based upon the amount of pyrotechnic composition an item contains (“Firework”). Even with certain restrictions on fireworks, thousands of accidents occur each year. It is no doubt that fireworks are potentially dangerous for the person operating them and for bystanders alike, as they may even land on flammable material and cause a fire. As a result, a general understanding of firework composition and technology is almost necessary to ensure that a disaster is prevented.
History
The art of fireworks originated in ancient China. It is believed that



Cited: Alan, B.J. "Fireworks University: History of Fireworks." History of Fireworks. 2008. B.J. Alan Company. 16 March 2008 . Brockert, Ben. "The History of Pyrotechnics." History of Fireworks. 2008. Thinkquest. 16 March 2008 . Berger, Lawrence, Summers Kalishman, and Frederick P. Rivara. "Injuries from Fireworks." Pediatrics 75(1985): 877-882. Brian, Marshall. “How Fireworks Work.” Howstuffworks “How Fireworks Work. 2008. HowStuffWorks Inc.. 14 March 2008 . Donner, John (1997). Professional 's guide to pyrotechnics: understanding and making exploding fireworks. Boulder, CO: Paladin Press. Dotz, Warren (1994). Firecrackers: The Art and History. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press. "The Fight Over Fireworks- Should Fireworks Be Banned?." The Fight Over Fireworks. 14 June 2007. Associated Content. 2008 . Gondhia, Reema. “The Chemistry of Fireworks.” Composition of Fireworks. 2006. 16 March 2008 . Ibrahaim M. Shalaf, Fakharul-razi Ahmadun, Saari Mustapha, Rashid Sharif, and Aini Said. "Bright sparklers fire and explosions: the lessons learned." Emerald. 11(2002): 214-221. McConnel, Mark. “The Chemistry of Fireworks.” The Chemistry of Fireworks. 2008. Thinkquest. 14 March 2008 . Ropeik, David. "The Scientific Flash Behind the Fireworks." The Scientific Flash Behind the Fireworks. MSNBC Interactive. 2008 . Russell, Micheal (2000). The chemistry of fireworks. Great Britain: The Royal Society of Chemistry.

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