How Fireworks Work, by a Pyro
Written by Translator on July 4, 2008 – 6:35 pm -Crossposted at Dailykos.com
I touched on fireworks a little in my series on the electromagnetic spectrum, and it is here.
Since it is topical today, I decided to expound on it a little. The “pyro” term is apt because I spent several years as a pyrotechnician, making everything from better screening smokes, better signaling smokes, better delivery systems, and novel bursting mixes for the Army as a civilian.
Fireworks are ancient, dating back, as best we can tell, to China. That is where black powder, a mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur, was developed. The Chinese used it in small rockets for display and for warfare for centuries until it, and its formula, made its way to Europe around 1250 C.E., give or take. That is where fireworks got started.
Tags: Fireworks, Independence Days, Teaching
Posted in Diaries | 11 Comments »
The Electromagnetic Spectrum VII - Visible Light Final Thoughts
Written by Translator on June 10, 2008 – 9:43 pm -Crossposted at DailyKos.com.
Well, we have discussed the origin of visible light, its place in the electromagnetic spectrum, and some of the physiology of human vision. This installment will wrap up the visible part, and next we will consider the ultraviolet.
Tags: Complex lens, EMR, Fireworks, Pyrotechnics, Visible Light, Vision
Posted in Diaries | 5 Comments »