Synthetic Chemistry’s Post

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲! It's this special time of the year, when it get's darker outside and people create cozy atmospheres with illuminations, candles and sparklers. Have you ever wondered how sparklers create those mesmerizing sparks? Here’s a quick breakdown of the chemistry behind them. Sparklers use powdered metals - often aluminum or magnesium - to create bright, white sparks. The sparkler stick is coated with a pyrotechnic mix of an oxidizer (like barium nitrate), sulfur, charcoal, and metal powder, with a combustible binder to hold it all together. For golden sparks, iron or titanium is added, and if you’ve seen colored sparks, that’s caused by different metal salts. All it takes is a lighter to set off the reaction, and there you go - your personal handheld light show! 🌟 Remember, though, sparks can also occur in your microwave reactor! But this is certainly where you don't want them! Thus, when using metal catalysts make sure to use fine powders and carefully calculate the required amount to prevent this effect.🎇 #chemistryinreallife #chemistrythatmatters #Christmas #Monowave #AntonPaar

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