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A pyrotechnician releases a 3-kg firecracker from rest. At t = 0.4 s, the firecracker is moving down



4. A firecracker at rest explodes, sending fragmetns off in all directions. Initially the firecracker has zero momentum, but after the explosion the fragments flying off each have quite a lot of momentum. Hasn't the momentum been created? If not, explain . . .




A Pyrotechnician Releases A 3-kg Firecracker From Rest



If you look at any individual piece of the firecracker, it's easy to say that it has "new" momentum that it didn't have before. But this was at the expense of some other piece of the firework. For every piece of momentum in one direction, there must be an opposite momentum, canceling each other out to a grand total of zero momentum. Sure, there was new kinetic energy put into this system from the explosion, but the momentum still is zero as a result of each piece of the firecracker pushing on every other piece.


Firecrackers are generally made of cardboard or plastic, with flash powder, cordite, smokeless powder, or black powder as the propellant. This is not always the case, however. Anything from match heads to kerosene and lighter fluid has been used successfully in making firecrackers.[citation needed]The key to loud firecrackers, however, although in part lying in the propellant substance, is pressure. The entire firecracker must be very tightly packed in order for it to work best. Flash powder, however, does not need to be packed tightly, and should not be.


After India's National Green Tribunal (NGT) enacted a ban on the sale and use of crackers on Diwali festival in 2020, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) developed green crackers made from cleaner raw materials which reduce emissions by suppressing the production of dust; their emissions are 30% lower but are also are of reduced loudness at 110-125 decibels instead of the more than 160 decibels of traditional firecrackers. However, green crackers still contain harmful pollutants such as aluminium, barium, potassium nitrate and carbon.[6]


Once flash powder, which produces a significantly sharper and brighter bang, replaced black powder as a firecracker's explosive charge (circa 1924), manufacturers began competing to gain loyalty of typical consumers (that is, mainly boys 8 to 16 years old). Thousands of brands were created during the flash-light cracker's heyday from the 1920s through the early 1970s. Only a small percentage of brands lasted more than a year or two. Collectors now seek the various labels from the era.[7]


Firecrackers, as well as other types of explosives, are subject to various laws in many countries, although firecrackers themselves are not usually considered illegal contraband material. It is usually the manufacture, sale, storage, and use of firecrackers that are subject to laws including safety requirements for manufacture, the requirement of a permit to sell or store, or restrictions on the use of firecrackers.


In most states and territories, firecrackers are illegal without a permit and part of a display by a licensed pyrotechnician.[10][11] Tasmania, ACT and Northern Territory allow consumer use with a permit (dependent on calendar date). Northern Territory is the only part of Australia where a consumer does not require a permit, but this only applies on 1 July for Territory Day.[12]


As of 2008, most urban areas in mainland China permit firecrackers. In the first three days of the traditional New Year, it is a tradition that people compete with each other by playing with firecrackers. However, many urban areas banned them in the 1990s. For example, they were banned in Beijing's urban districts from 1993 to 2005.[16] In 2004, 37 people were killed in a stampede when four million[17] people gathered for a rumored Lantern Festival firework display in nearby Miyun.[18] Since the ban was lifted, the firecracker barrage has been tremendous. An unusual[clarification needed] feature is that many residents in major cities look down on street-level fireworks from their tower blocks. Bans are rare in rural areas.


Firecrackers sold to consumers are restricted to 0.95 grams of black powder. The ban on larger firecrackers went into effect in 1996. Before, mid-size kiinanpommi or kiinari ("Chinese bomb") and tykinlaukaus and large tykäri ("artillery shot") had become cheap and common products that were often used by children after the celebration, leading to accidents.[19]


Firecrackers are banned in Hungary since 2005. Other types of consumer fireworks are only allowed to be sold and used on New Year's Eve. Many people smuggle firecrackers from Slovakia, where they are legal.


In October and November, farmers from Punjab and Haryana burn agricultural waste and the weather tends not to be windy, so Delhi's air pollution usually increases, which has been a major environmental problem since 2002.[23] Firecrackers for the Diwali holiday can worsen this pollution. In October 2017, the Supreme Court banned firecrackers in Delhi, as a result of which the industry said it faced losses of Rs 1,000-crore and consequently layoffs.[24]


Fireworks and firecrackers are not permitted in the Republic of Ireland; however, many people smuggle them from Northern Ireland, where they are legal. They are most common around Halloween.[26] Irish anti-firecracker laws are considered among the strictest in the world, equal to Chile's.[27][28]


A partial ban on firecrackers was imposed in March 1970 after a fire killed six people and injured 68.[38] This was extended to a total ban in August 1972, after an explosion that killed two people.[39] and an attack on two police officers attempting to stop a group from letting off firecrackers in February 1972.[40] However, in 2003, the government allowed firecrackers to be set off during the festive season. At the Chinese New Year light-up in Chinatown, at the stroke of midnight on the first day of the Lunar New Year, firecrackers are set off under controlled conditions by the Singapore Tourism Board. Other occasions where firecrackers are allowed to be set off are determined by the tourism board or other government organizations. However, their sale is not allowed.


Others argue that alleged concern over pollution from fireworks constitutes a red herring, since the amount of contamination from fireworks is minuscule in comparison to emissions from sources such as the burning of fossil fuels. In the US, some states and local governments restrict the use of fireworks in accordance with the Clean Air Act which allows laws relating to the prevention and control of outdoor air pollution to be enacted. Few governmental entities, by contrast, effectively limit pollution from burning fossil fuels such as diesel fuel or coal. Coal-fueled electricity generation alone is a much greater source of heavy metal contamination in the environment than fireworks.


Fireworks in New Zealand are available from 2 to 5 November, around Guy Fawkes Day, and may be purchased only by those 18 years of age and older (up from 14 years pre-2007). Despite the restriction on when fireworks may be sold, there is no restriction regarding when fireworks may be used. The types of fireworks available to the public are multi-shot "cakes", Roman candles, single shot shooters, ground and wall spinners, fountains, cones, sparklers, and various novelties, such as smoke bombs and Pharaoh's serpents. Consumer fireworks are also not allowed to be louder than 90 decibels.[49]


In the United States, the laws governing fireworks vary widely from state to state, or from county to county. Federal, state, and local authorities govern the use of display fireworks in the United States. At the federal level, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulates consumer fireworks through the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA). The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sets forth a set of codes that give the minimum standards of display fireworks use and safety in the U.S. Both state and local jurisdictions can further add restrictions on the use and safety requirements of display fireworks. There are currently 46 states in the United States in which fireworks are legal for consumer use.[53]


Almost 1,100kg of fireworks created a 1km-long canopy of colour, making Ras Al Khaimah's Al Marjan Island one of the brightest spots on earth on New Year's Eve (NYE). Over 390 'comet stars' splashed the night in the UAE's national colours as the extravaganza propelled RAK into the record books.Al Marjan Island bagged the Guinness World Record for the largest aerial firework shell, as hundreds of thousands of revellers were given a night to remember.The record trumps the 2014 title set by the Kounosu fireworks festival in Sitama, Japan, on October 11, 2014. Compared to the 464.826kg firecrackers launched then, RAK deployed over twice the amount.The shell in RAK reached a whopping 1,100 metres from the ground to the top-end of the display; 650 metres from the ground to the centre, and measured 1km in diameter when it was launched. On a comparative note, the Kounosu record had the firecracker reaching a height of 907 metres to the top-end, 533 metres to the centre, and 748 metres in diameter.In a fitting tribute to the UAE, the dazzling display of the 10-minute fireworks was set to action from 120 sites. The aerial shell had a diameter of 145cm. It packed 390 comet stars that flowered into white, red and green, to recreate the colours of the national flag. It took 15 seconds to reach the apex with the glittering comets changing to brilliant red tips with the centre of the flower displaying in a green shimmer.The show was choreographed to seven chapters, and set to global music by 14 renowned composers.The certificate was presented to Abdullah Al Abdooli, managing director of Al Marjan Island, and Phil Grucci, CEO and creative director of fireworks by Grucci.Al Abdooli said: "The fireworks was a spectacular success that welcomed visitors from around the world and cemented the reputation of the emirate as a must-visit destination for NYE galas. Adding to the pride of RAK and our nation, the event is a true testament to the joint efforts of various governmental entities, which ensured a safe and seamless celebration."The records title for the largest aerial firework shell, a part of the celebration, brings added joy as it highlights our commitment to offer a real extravaganza for our visitors."Al Marjan Island worked with government entities to create several public viewing areas across the waterfront development. More than 5,000 additional public car parking spaces were provided this year to welcome the guests.Grucci said: "Our brief was to deliver a 'Beyond a Journey' design and to fabricate and display this amazing marvel in fireworks. With the event, a performance art, we wanted to highlight the feeling of harmony and peace and the excitement and celebration of what Al Marjan Island is and is set to become."Relive the show>Chapter 1: Starting with a 10-second pyrotechnical countdown to welcome the new year, the first experience was that of a canopy of glittering chrysanthemums greeting visitors. This was followed by the four islands of the Al Marjan Islands being individually highlighted in a monochromatic colour.>Chapter 2: What followed was a majestic transition into the colours of the UAE national flag with glittering comets in white, red and green splashing through the night sky. A voluminous burst of golden willows concluded the session before the visual imagery of a green vine sprawling the 9Km linear length of Al Marjan Island and giant fans of comets showering the sky in addition to aerial shells shaped as swimming fish.>Chapter 3: A 'Gold Horse Tails' effect gave way to the fourth chapter>Chapter 4: Aerial shells in the shape of butterflies came to life from all four islands as well as gold glitter chrysanthemums and low-level swimming comets and fish. This was symbolic of the connection of the islands with nature.>Chapter 5: It displayed a series of rainbow coloured arches racing from island to island even as fireworks patterns took on various hues - from red, orange, yellow, green, blue to purple, symbolising the peace, harmony, serenity and community spirit that RAK and Al Marjan Islands represent.>Chapter 6: Next up was a scintillating white strobe scene illuminating the entire length and breadth of Al Marjan Island with matching strobe lights appearing on the roofline of the Waldorf Astoria hotel before culminating in a dazzling display of golden willows with green centres.>The grand finale: It started with a rousing canopy of silver and gold, setting the prelude to the Guinness World Record title. The record-setting feat, marking the launch of the 1,500mm aerial shell, saturated the night sky in brilliant hues. Reaching its apex in 15 seconds, the shell burst into a glorious flower with the effect being a canopy of silver descending comets with the colour changing to ruby red tips.How the show was conceivedPreparations for the celebration started in early 2017 with the expansive area of Al Marjan Islands serving as a perfect template for a spectacular show.>600 hours taken to design the show>70,000 man-hours went into transitioning the design>40 experts, including programmers, producers, pyrotechnicians and documentarians, worked on the project 2ff7e9595c


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