Copper, Barium, Sodium, Magnesium: The Science of Fireworks

 The Scientific American magazine cover is dated 1893, and the graphic on the right originally appeared in the July, 1999 edition of SA.

"Fireworks have long charmed the editors of Scientific American, with coverage starting in 1846 and running the gamut from reports of industrial accidents, to World's Fair displays, and the science of pyrotechnics." Click on over to learn more about the science behind those delightful pyrotechnics thrust into the night sky.

But wait. There's more. Scientific American also uses a quick (1:05 min) video presentation to take you inside a single fireworks shell to show how it all works.