Fireworks Science

Large public celebrations, rock concerts, and sporting events, like the Winter Olympics, all use massive fireworks displays to wow the crowd. Behind the scenes, pyrotechnic experts need to have a keen understanding of physics, chemistry and even psychology to ensure fireworks explode safely with the right colour, sound and timing. Anthony Lealand, from Firework Professionals, takes Ruth Beran on a tour of his pyrotechnic facility in Christchurch, and explains the science behind fireworks, how they are manufactured, and demonstrates some of the different sounds they make.