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What is in firecrackers?
Vidunenahawula Website (National Institute of Fundamental Studies)
The sound of firecrackers signals us about avurudu season. In their simplest form, firecrackers consist of gunpowder wrapped in paper, with a fuse. Gunpowder consists of 75% potassium nitrate (KNO3 ), 15% charcoal (carbon) or sugar, and 10% sulfur. The materials will react with each other when enough heat is applied. The charcoal or sugar is the fuel. Potassium nitrate is the oxidizer, and sulfur moderates the reaction.