You (and hot dogs) are the stuff fireworks are made of

The explosive black powder in the firework shot into the air contains almost the exact same amount of energy as a simple hot dog.

The firework uses the energy in black powder to fill the sky with light. We use the energy in a hot dog to do everything — move, breathe, think, stay alive.

“And here’s the surprising thing: the firework and your body use the same basic chemical process to get at that energy.”

“Luckily, as Skunk Bear’s latest video explains, our version of this reaction is a bit less explosive.”

Want to learn more about fireworks? This Skunk Bear video explains the chemistry behind their bright colors. (Hint: It has something to do with everyday table salt.)

 

Skunk Bear