Oooh! Aaah! Fourth of July Science

Bang! The Art, History, and Science of Fireworks 
by Ron Miller 
104 pages; YA
Twenty-First Century Books, 2026

review copy provided by publisher

“This book is all about pyrotechnics,” writes Ron Miller. He’s not lying; this book explodes with research on the art and science of fire and explosions. And beyond, because he reveals the more mundane world of matches, roadside flares, and other non-weapon applications. The first chapter lays down early history. From there he explores fireworks as art. Though he mentions that different chemicals are used to create the colors we see in fireworks displays, he doesn’t explain which chemicals produce what color. I was hoping for a color wheel… 

 

Ron takes readers on an armchair field trip to explore how firecrackers and fireworks are made – and keeps us safe from accidental explosions. Later, he takes us on a movie set where pyrotechnics are used as special effects. After touring world holiday celebrations that include fireworks, he touches on environmental considerations and mentions some alternative ways, and less noisy ways, to create festive celebratory displays.

Fizz! Pop! Boom! 

Here's how to make some quiet Fourth of July explosions in your backyard:  

•  Fizzy sidewalk chalk fireworks ~ pffff!
•  Exploding paint Bags ~ more pop than boom!
• Erupting Rainbow ~ Of course vinegar is involved! 

Happy Fourth of July

 Since tomorrow is the Fourth of July, I'll be taking a brief break. See you back here next week!

Meanwhile, check out some hands-on ways to celebrate the holiday at this post from two years ago.

By Michele Mazzola – Wikimedia [CC BY 3.0] 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=71302982

Fizz! Pop! Boom! Fourth of July Science

With the Fourth of July just around the corner, I thought I'd do something different today. Instead of a book review, I've collected some creative alternatives to fireworks. Hands-on activities that will provide plenty of fizz, pop, and boom without the big noise and smell of gunpowder. 

 

You probably have many of the ingredients in your cupboards, but check the materials lists in case you need to stock up before Monday. Then, after the parade and potato salad, invite friends and family to create their own Fourth of July celebratory works of art – and science.

My kids loved to play with baking soda and vinegar. I’d find a bottle that fit a cork, then let them play around with those two ingredients to see how far up they could make their cork rocket fly. You can dress up a cork with some red and blue ribbons, but keep it light so it will fly.

Here are some other creative ways to celebrate the day:

Exploding sidewalk paint ~ use glow-in-the-dark paint for night fun

Flying chalk rockets ~ a different approach to sidewalk art  

Fizzy sidewalk paint ~ perfect for toddlers

Fizzy pop chalk ~ for fingers or brushes

Erupting Rainbow ~ another fun one for the youngest kids

And how can we not include the Diet coke and mentos geyser ~ definitely outside fun!

 Have a fizzy, fun weekend and I'll return on Wednesday for a nature break and more outside exploration.

Wednesday Explorers Club ~ Fireworks!

It all started with an experiment.
About a thousand years ago.
A Chinese monk stuffed gunpowder into a piece of bamboo and tossed it into the fire. He wanted to make a noise loud enough to scare away ghosts.

He did more than that; he inspired people to continue experimenting with noise and colors. That's why, when you head out to a fireworks display this week, you'll get more than a big bang. The designs and colors we see in the sky are a result of chemistry. Inside the fireworks are pellets of the sparkly stuff that burns in the sky. The pattern you see in the sky results from how those pellets are placed inside the firework. They may explode outward in shapes that look like fronds of a palm tree or a brittle star. Or they might snake across the sky. You can read more about patterns here.

The colors come from burning different metal salts: barium chloride for green, lithium carbonate for red, copper compounds for blue, and sodium - like the salt you shake onto your potatoes - for yellow. Here's a handy color chart.

Have fun and remember: it may look like a fireworks show but it's Science in the Sky!

Fourth of July Science

About a thousand years ago a Chinese monk stuffed gunpowder into a piece of bamboo and tossed it into the fire. He wanted to make a noise loud enough to scare away ghosts.

If you head out to a fireworks display tonight, you'll get more than a big bang. The designs and colors we see in the sky are a result of chemistry. Inside the fireworks are pellets of the sparkly stuff that burns in the sky. The pattern you see in the sky results from how those pellets are placed inside the firework. They may explode outward in shapes that look like fronds of a palm tree or a brittle star. Or they might snake across the sky. You can read more about patterns here.

The colors come from burning different metal salts: barium chloride for green, lithium carbonate for red, copper compounds for blue, and sodium - like the salt you shake onto your potatoes - for yellow. Here's a handy color chart.

Have fun on the fourth, and remember: it may look like a fireworks show but it's Science in the Sky!