The chemistry of a fireworks show, according to legend, goes back perhaps 2,000 years.br It’s a tried and true sequence of events that can be broken down into 5 steps.br 1, Lifting charge. This charge propels the aerial shell upwards once the power is ignited.br 2, Time delay fuse.This ignites the bursting charges once the shell is aloft.br 3, Bursting charge. This ignites the releasing stars in the correct sequence.br 4, Stars. These are the chemical explosives that burst to produce colorful streaks.br 5, End.