# How are fireworks' colors and distinctive shapes attained? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 27, 2022, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-fireworks-colors-and-distinctive-shapes-attained/958535 "2022-01-27T23:20:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-fireworks-colors-and-distinctive-shapes-attained/958535/1 "2022-01-27T23:20:34Z")
I’m referring to the large fireworks that are launched into the sky at fireworks displays. How do the manufacturers make each firework a particular color, and in some instances, cause it to explode in a particular pattern, like a heart or something? How is that achieved? ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-fireworks-colors-and-distinctive-shapes-attained/958535/2 "2022-01-27T23:32:36Z")
Colors have to do with the chemical composition of the explosive. Different things burn different colors. Copper burns green, for example. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-fireworks-colors-and-distinctive-shapes-attained/958535/3 "2022-01-27T23:36:58Z")
> **[How Fireworks Work](https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/everyday-innovations/fireworks.htm)** > > If you've ever been to an aerial fireworks show, then you know that fireworks have a magic all their own. Ever wonder how they make such incredible colors and designs? Learn all about these pyrotechnics! [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Ogk9cCv4-Qo/hqdefault.jpg "How Professional Fireworks Work") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ogk9cCv4-Qo) ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-fireworks-colors-and-distinctive-shapes-attained/958535/4 "2022-01-28T17:53:39Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > How do the manufacturers make each firework a particular color, and in some instances, cause it to explode in a particular pattern, like a heart or something? How is that achieved? I have seen a TV show on making them perhaps “How it is Made”. For the heart shaped display they actually pack the small color shells in a miniature heart form within the shell. A bursting charge is in the center. When it blows up the shells expand outwards but keep the general shape of a heart. Pretty simple. ---
**Author:** ![Chickenwrangler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chickenwrangler/32/91_2.png) [@Chickenwrangler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chickenwrangler)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2022, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-fireworks-colors-and-distinctive-shapes-attained/958535/5 "2022-01-29T05:06:23Z")
Just for interest, some of the really spectacular displays are now performed by drones. [These Drone Light Shows Could Replace Fireworks - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcoIUd9Y3-w) [Drone fireworks - Google Search](https://www.google.com/search?q=Drone+fireworks&iflsig=AHkkrS4AAAAAYfTXqGJ80QBvpKbvirFoLJqGvqE8299V&ved=0ahUKEwiZwejIltb1AhVOGaYKHSkyCnMQ4dUDCAc&uact=5&oq=Drone+fireworks&sclient=gws-wiz) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2022, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-fireworks-colors-and-distinctive-shapes-attained/958535/6 "2022-01-29T05:28:19Z")
Here’s a handy guide for different elements making different colors: [![](https://fireworks.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/chemistryInfo.png) ](https://fireworks.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/chemistryInfo.png)