the experiment which we had did included some calcium, potassium and other substance. However, lets break down the creation of fireworks into basics so we can appreciate them. First of, lets watch a cool video about a mass rally of fireworks. (at 0.35, there's was a COLLOSAL firework. watch it ^^)




These are the types and effects of the fireworks


BROCADE
Expanding sphere of stars looks best in gold, similar to Willow, Palm.



BOMBETTE
A small shell effect within a cake or candle. Can be a variety of effects.



CRACKLE
A sound effect made from many small bangs.



TAILED COMET
A comet that has a tail of crackling effects following it.




CROSSETTE
A coloured star which splits into four or five other coloured stars and forms a cross.



DOUBLE BREAK
A rocket that bursts twice normally with different effects.

DRAGONS EGGS
A gold or silver breaking effect that ends in crackles or strobes.



FISH
A wiggling effect sometimes accompanied by screeches and whistles.



KAMURO
An effect that hangs and trails in the air, often strobing or twinkling. Used in finales.



PALM
A cascading, created with gold or silver coloured sparks. Fireworks creating this effect in several directions cause a "palm tree" pattern.



PEONY
An expanding sphere of stars.



PISTAL
The central part of a Peony can be different shapes and colours.



RING EFFECT
An expanding ring effect created with multiple stars.



SALUTE
Report a loud bang.



SALVO
A rapid sequence of effects or fireworks.



SPINNER
An effect that spins with sparks usually silver with noise or give off coloured stars.



STAR
A glowing star any colour, and breaks into a another effect.



STROBE
An effect that flickers or flashes, strobing.



TITANIUM SALUTE
A very loud bang (salute) with a bright flash (titanium).



TURBILLION
A star with an erratic flight which creates a spiralling glitter effect



WHISTLE
A sound effect like a whistle. Some products have multi-tone whistles.



WILLOW EFFECT
An effect which hangs in the air for a long time usually in silver or gold. Similar to a palm tree effect

Therse are just some of the few fireworks there are. Phew, it was tiring work, uploading these pictures. But they'r efor the sake of science. :)
calcium causes red fireworks, sodium causes orange fireworks, potassium causes purple fireworks, coppper causes green fireworks and magnesium casues white firworks. i guess thats the end of the chemistry segment for 2010. So thanks for ending chemistry with a bang, ms liang :D