"Black snake" is a type of consumer firework consisting of a chemical that when set on fire burns with an intumescent reaction, exuding a long twisting string of ash resembling a snake. They are sold
Sucrose: Sodium bicarbonate (4:1) placed on top of sand and ethanol.
Mercury thiocyanate is an inorganic chemical compound, the coordination complex of Hg2+ and the thiocyanate anion. It is a white powder. It will produce a large, winding "snake" when ignited, an effec
Black snake (firework)
…Two earlier traditional formulas are now banned in retail fireworks because of the toxic chemicals they contain: the Pharaoh's Serpent which contains mercury (II) thiocyanate and the sugar snake which contains potassium dichromate. Sometimes these are performed as do-it-yourself amateur chemistry demonstrations. The Pharaoh's…