Subject: Several Questions on Fireworks

These questions all refer to the big, professional fireworks displays. I did not find these answers in the archives.

1) Some fireworks explode in a burst of color, then that color fades into another color. How is this done? Is this one chemical that simply changes color as it burns?

2) I saw some fireworks where the colored particles bursting away from the explosion appear to fade away and burn out, then appear to reignite...and burn brightly again for a second or two. Is this an illusion?

3) Assuming we're talking about a highly professionally designed fireworks show, how exact is the display "choreographed?" For example, Do they know precisely how high certain fireworks will go--within a few centimeters...or a guess within 10 meters? Also, how exact is the timing planned? If it is timed fairly exactly, what is the mechanism for igniting the fireworks at the proper time?

Thank you, I'm a curious adult...but am not a scientist. This site could quite possibly be the best thing on the www!!

Re: Several Questions on Fireworks