# Quick Fireworks Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 24, 2012, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-fireworks-question/638684 "2012-10-24T01:25:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2012, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-fireworks-question/638684/1 "2012-10-24T01:25:29Z")
I know we have a pyrotechnician or two here at the Dope-- quick question: What is the official name of the type of shell that doesn’t emit any light (save for the briefest of flashes as it explodes), but emits a deafening BOOM! that’s louder than that of its fiery brethren? And bonus question: what’s it made of? ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2012, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-fireworks-question/638684/2 "2012-10-24T01:43:19Z")
According [to this](http://www.fireworksalliance.org/cgi-bin/viewpage.pl?p=glossary), it’s called a ‘report’ or a ‘bang’. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2012, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-fireworks-question/638684/3 "2012-10-24T01:52:19Z")
They are made of various pyrotechnic powders. Something very fast burning and tightly wrapped to get the very loud sound. Aluminum is a popular fuel component for this type of flash powder. Various oxidizers like potassium perchlorate are used for an oxidizer.