Catherine wheel

I searched and searched and searched....and now I know. There are NO safe firework experiments for you to do at home!

So, in the spirit of Bonfire Night and firework fun, here's a great slo-mo film of a Catherine wheel from National Geographic.

How do the fireworks make the Catherine wheel turn round? How many tubes are alight at one time?

Hope you enjoyed the video. Have a great Bonfire Night!

Summary There is some great and engaging science to be found in fireworks: forces, movement, light, sound and properties of elements. Use this resource to find out more about the anatomy of a firework and how the different elements go to make one stunning display of science in action.
Curriculum key words	Other web links
• Forces and movement • Light and sound • Elements and compounds	RoSPA safer fireworks Catalyst article that looks at fireworks and their history, how they are made and set off, and what gives them their colours and effects. From rocket science to electron energy levels with this Guy Fawke's night crime scene investigation Flame test – nice demonstration How to do a flame test – video clip.
Science Curriculum Links
National Curriculum	Curriculum for excellence	Northern Ireland Curriculum
Forces and motion (KS3 Sc 3.1b) Chemical change (KS4 Sc2.2a) Radiations transfer energy (Ks4 Sc2.3c)	Chemical reactions resulting in a change in energy (SCN 4-19a) Relate motion to the forces acting on an object (SCN 4-07b)	Elements, compounds, tests for ions. (GCSE Chemistry) Forces and circular motion (GCSE Physics)

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