Did you see the fireworks on New Year's Eve 2024? It was beautiful, wasn't it, where they exploded into each other above the sky? According to legend in China, the tradition of setting off fireworks dates back to the reign of the Han Dynasty in 200 BC, long before the invention of gunpowder. It is related to the name of the mountain creature Nian. Nian comes out of the mountain every Chinese new year, disrupting the new year celebrations. It will eat them! Then the people made explosive sounds from bamboo, which they called baouzhu, to drive the Nian away. From then on, firecrackers were used in every Chinese festival and celebration, such as Chinese New Year.
In the Sung era (960-1279), a priest named Li Tian discovered gunpowder near the town of Liu Yang in Hunan Province. This made fireworks better. At the same time, a firework factory was established, which served as the basis for the manufacture of fireworks, which emitted incandescent and colorful flames in the sky. Hunan Province is still famous as the world's largest producer of fireworks.
Fireworks have changed in the past. We used paper rolls instead of bamboo. La also entered Europe through Marcopolo, who in 1292 brought some fireworks from China to Italy. John Roach, writing in National Geographic News on July 4, 2003, said that Italy was the first country in Europe to make firecrackers and fireworks, and it is considered the first country in Europe to make more interesting fireworks.
Fireworks have been used in Indonesia since the days of the Majapahit Kingdom, when gunpowder weapon technology was introduced and considered part of religious rituals and traditional ceremonies. Firecworks were used in ceremonies and traditional medical practices in Java. During the Dutch colonization of Indonesia, firecrackers became popular among the people as they were considered a symbol of resistance to the colonizing authority. They resisted by throwing firecrackers at the Dutch troops.
 However, the use of fireworks increased after Indonesian independence. Images began to be used as entertainment and attractions at various events, such as weddings, birthdays, and of course during Ramadan and Lebaran. Indonesians have a special meaning for paintings made during Ramadan and Lebaran. Fireworks, apart from being used as entertainment, are also considered a symbol of joy and victory for the month of fasting and Ramadan worship. On Lebaran day, firecrackers are considered a symbol of joy and satisfaction after a month of fasting.
Setting off fireworks is an Indonesian tradition that is often done during Lebaran celebrations. It has become an inseparable part of the culture, where children and adults alike participate in celebrating this event by throwing firecrackers and fireworks. The tradition of setting off fireworks has long existed in Indonesian society, and along with the increasing use of firecrackers and fireworks, it has become an integral part of the culture.
Now that you know the history of fireworks, have you ever wondered how fireworks explode, make noise, and produce different colors? Did you know that fireworks are closely related to chemical reactions? The chemical processes that result in the sound, light, and smoke phenomena are what connect fireworks with chemistry. An oxidizer, fuel, and binder are the usual ingredients in a chemical mixture that causes an explosive reaction in a firework. The firework makes an explosive bang and shoots into the air when it is lighted because of the mixture's quick combustion, which releases a lot of hot gasses.
Of course when we see fireworks exploding in the sky, we will be amazed at the beauty of the fireworks. but has it ever crossed our minds how can these firecrackers explode? what materials are used? what ingredients and chemical reactions are contained in the fireworks so that the fireworks can explode? why can the colors produced from fireworks explosions be different?
According to ChemistryIsLife Fireworks require many ingredients to make. The main one is black powder. Black powder is a mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and salt-peter (potassium nitrate) in a weight ratio of 75-15-10. It provides fireworks with explosive properties and thrust. The color hue of this powder is a result of the many components it contains. In addition, flash powder may be required, depending on the type of fireworks used. Aluminum, sulfur, and potassium chlorate make up flash powder. Even a small amount will cause a loud noise and a powerful explosion if put into a container.
Potassium nitrate provides the oxygen necessary for the combustion of the fuel, while the binder helps hold the mixture together. When the firecracker is lit, the heat from the ignition source causes the oxidizer and fuel to react, producing a rapid release of energy in the form of heat and light. The colors produced by fireworks are also a result of specific chemical compounds, such as metal salts, which produce vibrant colors when ignited. Overall, the use of firecrackers and fireworks involves a variety of chemical principles, including combustion, oxidation-reduction reactions, and the use of specific chemical compounds to produce colorful light effect
