QUESTION OF THE MONTH
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF A FIREWORK EXPLODED IN SPACE?
JOHN KILMISTER, SOUTHAMPTON
In the vacuum of space, there’s no oxygen with which things can burn. Fireworks, however, contain their own oxidiser, which provides the oxygen required for combustion (normally a nitrate compound such as potassium nitrate).
Most professional firework displays use an electronic igniter system. This sends an electric current through a wire to the firework’s fuse, igniting it, again without the need for oxygen. So, fireworks work perfectly well in space. But you can’t light a firework in the vacuum of space with a flame, as your flame won’t burn.