The Fourth of July is here. That means you’ll be hearing oohs and aahhs along with watching the bright explosions in the sky. But what will the weather be like for the fireworks and what goes in to the light show?
For the best show in the sky, light winds, a clear sky, low humidity and warm temperatures are ideal. Light winds move out smoke from the previous firework, allowing for a better view of the next firework in the lineup. High humidity, or moisture in the sky, dulls firework colors. That means we are hoping for lower humidity levels to keep colors bright. Warmer temperatures help any residual smoke to rise quicker, therefore having a mild night is also helpful. This year, it will be a little cloudy but mainly dry. Unfortunately, it will be humid so compared to years past, the fireworks may not look as bright.
Fireworks are a combination of science and innovation. They use high-energy chemical reactions to put on a light show for all of us to enjoy. They work by mixing together a series of high-energy compounds. These compounds create explosions. Some explosions cause the firework to propel into the air. Others cause them to separate once they are up high, creating new and interesting shapes.
The different colors we see are caused from a different chemical reaction. The energy given off from the separating and climbing compounds heat up atoms all around. The new, hot atoms give off light, and those are the colors you see in the firework.
Different elements from the periodic table give off different shades that we see in the dark night sky. Strontium creates a red color. Barium gives rise to a green color. Copper creates a blue color and sodium generates an orange/yellow color.
The color combinations and basic chemistry used to create fireworks will never change. In terms of how creative the shows get moving forward, Albert Einstein said it best: “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”
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