The Chemistry of Fireworks [Paperback]

Michael S Russell (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0854041273 | ISBN-13: 978-0854041275 | Publication Date: November 13, 2008 | Edition: Revised

For centuries fireworks have been a source of delight and amazement in cultures around the world. But what produces their dazzling array of effects? This book, a fully revised, extended and updated second edition explores the chemistry and physics behind the art of pyrotechnics. Its scope ranges from the history of gunpowder and fireworks in the UK, to the chemical characteristics of gunpowder, the form and functioning of all the main types of fireworks, special effects, fireworks safety and current fireworks legislation. This second edition is aimed at students with A level qualifications or equivalent wanting to follow the essential principles of pyrotechnics. The style is concise and easy to understand and readers will gain a clear understanding of the science of fireworks in terms of recognised scientific principles.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The history of the English Firework makers.....is fascinating and I would have really liked to have read more." "This book is very well produced and it will be a worthy addition to my collection of books on firworks. I shall use it as a reference book for many years and recommend it to my students and library."

Book Description

For centuries fireworks have been a source of delight and amazement in cultures around the world. But what produces their dazzling array of effects? This book, a fully revised, extended and updated second edition explores the chemistry and physics behind the art of pyrotechnics. Its scope ranges from the history of gunpowder and fireworks in the UK, to the chemical characteristics of gunpowder, the form and functioning of all the main types of fireworks, special effects, fireworks safety and current fireworks legislation. This second edition is aimed at students with A level qualifications or equivalent wanting to follow the essential principles of pyrotechnics. The style is concise and easy to understand and readers will gain a clear understanding of the science of fireworks in terms of recognised scientific principles.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry; Revised edition (November 13, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0854041273
• ISBN-13: 978-0854041275
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #264,099 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #65 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Chemistry > Inorganic
  • #99 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Chemistry > Physical & Theoretical > Physical Chemistry

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Poorly done, November 9, 2001

By 

hmx (Livermore, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Chemistry of Fireworks (Rsc Paperbacks) (Paperback)

This book has a glossary of terms at the beginning, most of which are ambiguous, some of which are just plain wrong. It seems as if the author tried to "dumb down" the terminology so anyone could understand it. However, in so doing, he's really alienated his target audience, i.e., people with at least some chemistry background. He has major problems with the definitions of explosions and detonation/deflagration. These are definitions that need to be clearly defined, and he screws a lot of it up. He consistently refers to black powder as "gunpowder", which may be a british thing, but it's still annoying and misleading. Some of the equations are helpful, but because of the incorrect information supplied in other parts of the book, I question their validity. This book gives a general overview, and it is decent with pictures and the explainations, but I'd never recommend it to someone who wanted to know the terminology used in the pyro industry, because it's mostly incorrect in this book. This book looks like it was put out in a rush. For example, on p.40, the book describes a "linear" equation, then gives an exponential one; it's just poor editing and writing to get things like that screwed up. An experienced pyrotechnician would know the difference between the screwed up definitions and things, but then, an experienced pyro wouldn't be reading this book. I found Weingart's 'Pyrotechnics' more useful than this. For some more of the physics-related items, this book would be better, but if you want to know some Chemistry, get Shimizu's 'Fireworks'.

2 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars the chemistry of fireworks, September 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Chemistry of Fireworks (Rsc Paperbacks) (Paperback)

About formulations and efects