Chemistry & Science
Experiments

Waterfalls

This
Waterfall is best made with a wire suspended between 2 poles 20 feet
high.
Each thin paper tube loaded with Waterfall composition,
is
attached to the wire with its "starter end" pointing down.
The tubes are
separated by about 1 foot and all ignited at once by a length of
Quickmatch.
The bright white sparks float all the way to the ground making
the traditional waterfall effect.
Attached to a stick, a single Waterfall tube also makes an
outrageous Sparkler.

WATERFALL #1

WATERFALL #2

Potassium
Perchlorate

46
%

46
%

Aluminum,
Bright

14
%

23
%

Aluminum, Granular
50-150
mesh

32
%

-

Aluminum,
Flitters

-

23
%

Dextrin

8
%

8
%

Burn
Time

90
seconds

60
seconds

Comments:

Roll
ordinary 8.5" x 11" sheets of paper around a wooden 5/8" diameter dowel to
form  8.5" long tubes (secure the end with tape).  Moisten the
composition until it just sticks together when squeezed. Using the dowel,
press in small increments into the tube. Leave a 1/2" space at the top for
a starting mix. It is important that the tube burn away with the mixture,
so don't pack the composition into thick cardboard tubes, just "roll your
own" from sheets of paper as described. For a starting mixture, we use a
blend of 75% waterfall mix and 25% Black Powder. Add just a little bit of
water to it and press the mixture into the 1/2" space at the top of the
waterfall tube. After these tubes dry (several days), hang them upside
down from a long wire and light them all at once either electrically or
with Quickmatch. The bright white sparks will fall over 20 feet producing
a great waterfall effect.