3.2 The "Party Popper" Reaction

Chemical Concept Demonstrated: Balanced chemical equations

Demonstration:

Pull the string on one of the "Champagne Party Poppers."

Observations:

    The Party Popper detonates.  There is a popping noise and a release of streamers associated with the detonation.

Explanation (including important chemical equations):

    Each of the Party Poppers contains less than .25 grains of a mixture of potassium chlorate, antimony sulfide, and phosphorus.  The overall reaction is as follows:

    28 KClO₃ (s) + 6 Sb₂S₃ (s) + 3 P₄ (s) -> 28 KCl (s) + 3 P₄O₁₀ (s) + 6 Sb₂O₃ (s) + 18 SO₂ (g)

    It should be noted that the explosion occurs because of the sudden evolution of the SO₂ gas.

    On the basis of the stoichiometry presented, the reaction mixture should be 58.7% KClO₃, 34.9% Sb₂S₃, and 6.4% P₄.   The actual reaction mixture is 63% KClO₃, 31% Sb₂S₃, and 6% P₄, which means there is a slight excess of both potassium chlorate and phosphorus.