A party popper is a handheld pyrotechnic device commonly used at parties. It emits a loud popping noise by means of a small friction-actuated explosive charge that is activated by pulling a string. The explosive charge comes from a very small amount of

Armstrong's mixture Armstrong's mixture is a highly sensitive primary explosive. It is very friction-sensitive. Formulations vary, but one consists of 67% potassium chlorate, 27% red phosphorus, 3% sulfur, and 3% calcium carbonate. It is named for Sir William Armstro ...

(a highly sensitive explosive) in the neck of the bottle-like shape. In some party poppers, the explosive charge is replaced by compressed air. In party poppers with an explosive charge, there are less than of explosive. The streamers are non-flammable for safe use. The charge or compressed air blows out some confetti or streamers and emits a popping sound. The charge is often composed of red phosphorus and strong oxidizer, such as

potassium chlorate Potassium chlorate is a compound containing potassium, chlorine and oxygen, with the molecular formula KClO3. In its pure form, it is a white crystalline substance. After sodium chlorate, it is the second most common chlorate in industrial use. It ...

and

potassium perchlorate Potassium perchlorate is the inorganic salt with the chemical formula K Cl O4. Like other perchlorates, this salt is a strong oxidizer although it usually reacts very slowly with organic substances. This, usually obtained as a colorless, crysta ...

. There are also party popper

revolver A revolver (also called a wheel gun) is a repeating handgun that has at least one barrel and uses a revolving cylinder containing multiple chambers (each holding a single cartridge) for firing. Because most revolver models hold up to six roun ...

s on the market, which use a Speedloader - style cartridge filled with six-party popper charges inserted into a normally colourful plastic device loosely resembling a pistol or revolver. Its functionality is very much the same as a pistol; the depression of the trigger apparatus rotates the chamber so that a live charge is presented to a hammer, which falls onto a regular cap ring embedded in the bottom of the chamber. The chambers are one-use only.

Safety and precautions

Party poppers are able to cause severe

eye trauma Eyes are organs of the visual system. They provide living organisms with vision, the ability to receive and process visual detail, as well as enabling several photo response functions that are independent of vision. Eyes detect light and conve ...

and other facial injuries, and users are advised to aim them away from people. It is also recommended to avoid dismantling party poppers due to potential injury. Parents should supervise their children and instruct them on the proper use. Party poppers are considered as "indoor fireworks", and therefore are subject to legal regulation in some jurisdictions. In the United Kingdom, party poppers cannot be sold to people under the age of 16 years old.

Emoji 🎉

The party popper is now a popular emoji, first introduced in 2015. It is also known as the "tada" emoji.

References

Types of fireworks Popper, party {{Pyrotechnics-stub