Why Can Fireworks Explode Without Being Lit?

Improved Essays
Can Fireworks Explode without Being Lit?

Fireworks exploding on the night sky is a majestic sight. These explosives look stunning but they are still just that, explosives. In order to enjoy them, you want to keep in mind the safety rules and follow instructions. But could something go wrong? Can fireworks explode without being lit?

How do fireworks work?

Fireworks come in different types from rockets to wheels. But each firework will have a fuse, which is the main part of the firework in terms of the ignition. The firework fuse has the charge part that burns and ignites, while the effects are stored in smaller fuses that explode later.

When you are using the firework, you ignite the main fuse with a match and you get a small burn until the firework is shot either into the air or it starts creating effects on the ground. In professional fireworks displays, there isn’t often any manual lighting it up, as it all happens with electrical contacts. This means an electrical current will flow along a wire into the fusehead and ignite the fireworks as designed.
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Potassium nitrate is the key ingredient behind propelling the firework up into the air and to create that explosive effect.

Can they explode by accident?

So, with all that in mind, could you accidentally light a firework? The most important thing to note is that all consumer fireworks will need to be ignited for the explosion to happen. This means that fireworks cannot simply detonate. The firework will not go off in extreme heat because it must always have an ignition source be exposed to the fuse.

In essence, the only way a firework can go off is if the fuse comes into direct contact with a source of ignition, such as a flame. Therefore, if you store and handle your fireworks according to the instructions, you won’t have to worry about a sudden explosion.

How to stay safe when using

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