Learn English – word for an individual spark in a firework

single-word-requestsword-choice

For example, what would the single spark in the red 'circle' be called?enter image description here

Best Answer

The correct technical name for a single spark of a firework is a "star". Each star is a small roughly spherical pellet made mainly of gunpowder.

A fuse ignites a lifting charge and a time-delay fuse. Whilst the lifting charge burns, it propels the firework into the air, then near to the peak of its trajectory the time-delay fuse ignites a bursting charge packed behind the stars. This bursting charge both ignites and distributes the stars. Chemical additives in the stars determine their burn colour. They are called stars both before and after ignition.

You can find many labelled diagrams of the inner workings of fireworks if you search online for "anatomy of a firework" or similar. Here is one example:

This is a diagram, shows a dissection of two fireworks: One of the fireworks is cylindrical and referred to as 'Italian-style', and a mostly cylindrical shell, with an almost conical shape with the point cut off of it protruding from the bottom, referred to as 'Oriental-style'. The image lists the various parts, including the quick match fuse, the time delay fuse, the bursting charge, the lifting charge, the paper case and most importantly the stars. The stars appear to be spheres made out of compacted gunpowder granules, above the lifting charge, around the bursting charge, and inside the shell. The image has text indicating it is sourced from discovery.com and copyrighted by KRT, circa 2002.

Related Topic