# Bang snaps > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Bang_snaps > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Bang_snaps.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bang_snaps > Source revision: 1329445695 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Small harmless firework thrown for amusement}}[[File:Bang snaps.JPG|thumb|200px|alt=bang snaps|Two commercially produced bang snaps with a [US penny](/source/Penny_(United_States_coin)) for scale. The right one has been used and the left one is unused.]]'''Bang snaps''' (known as '''poppers''' or '''whipper snappers''') are a type of small [novelty](/source/novelty_item) [firework](/source/firework) sold as a trick noisemaker.Phantom Fireworks Co, "Fireworks University: Glossary". [http://www.fireworks.com/safety/glossary.asp Fireworks.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091219102132/http://www.fireworks.com/safety/glossary.asp |date=2009-12-19 }} ==Composition== Bang snaps consist of a small amount of [gravel](/source/gravel) or coarse [sand](/source/sand) impregnated with a minute quantity (~0.2 [milligrams](/source/milligrams)){{Citation|author=[Cody'sLab](/source/Cody'sLab)|title=Precious Metal Refining & Recovery, Episode 11: Silver From Bang Snaps|date=2016-07-01|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vltBwXncjCI&t=343s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/vltBwXncjCI |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|accessdate=2018-01-19}}{{cbignore}} of [silver fulminate](/source/silver_fulminate) [high explosive](/source/high_explosive) and twisted in a [cigarette paper](/source/cigarette_paper) to produce a shape resembling a [cherry](/source/cherry). == Effect == The friction-sensitive silver fulminate [detonates](/source/detonation) when stepped on, ignited, or thrown on a hard surface, producing a sharp [salute](/source/salute_(pyrotechnics)) similar to a [cap gun](/source/cap_gun)'s. Despite producing a legitimate (albeit tiny) high-explosive detonation, the extremely high mass ratio of gravel to explosive acts as a buffer to ensure that they only produce the audible "crack" of the supersonic shockwave; they are incapable of producing physical damage, even when discharged in the hand.Katz, David A. "Chemistry in the Toy Store". 6th ed, 2002. [http://www.chymist.com/Toystore%20part3.pdf Chymist.com] The explosion is unable to propel the gravel any distance, which usually falls to the ground. This makes them safe for use as a children's toy, for which purpose they have been widely sold around the world since the 1950s. ==Availability== Bang snaps are primarily produced alongside other export fireworks in [Brazil](/source/Brazil), [South Korea](/source/South_Korea) and [China](/source/China) and are widely available over the counter at small [toy stores](/source/toy_stores) and shops specializing in jokes, novelties and magic tricks. The snaps are typically packed in [sawdust](/source/sawdust) to prevent them from discharging due to rough handling while in transit. In the UK they are advertised as fun snaps, and sold only to people 16 or above.{{Cite web |date=19 July 2015 |title=The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/1553/made |website=Legislation.gov.uk}} Some US states and counties impose the same age restrictions on purchasing bang snaps as that of permitted fireworks, usually 17 or 18.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}} They are also a common part of [Chinese New Year](/source/Chinese_New_Year) celebrations. ==In popular culture== {{unreferenced section|date=October 2016}} * In the 1985 film ''[The Goonies](/source/The_Goonies)'', Data uses bang snaps as "booby traps" against the Fratelli family on their trail. * In [Jackie Chan](/source/Jackie_Chan)'s film ''[Police Story 2](/source/Police_Story_2)'', bang snaps were thrown against Police Inspector Chan Ka-kui (played by Jackie Chan). * American musician [Rickie Lee Jones](/source/Rickie_Lee_Jones) used the box [artwork](/source/Illustration) from the "Pop Pop"-brand of bang snaps (made by Garrywa Fireworks of China) for the cover of her 1991 [album of the same name](/source/Pop_Pop). * In the 1999 comedy ''[Big Daddy](/source/Big_Daddy_(1999_film))'', Julian bonds with his biological father, Kevin, by throwing bang snaps (even at Kevin's feet). * In the ''[South Park](/source/South_Park)'' episode "[Good Times with Weapons](/source/Good_Times_with_Weapons)", Cartman annoys Kyle by constantly throwing bang snaps at his feet. * In the [pilot](/source/Pilot_(American_Horror_Story)) of ''[American Horror Story](/source/American_Horror_Story)'', a pair of twins use bang snaps to scare others.{{cite web|work=[Vulture.com](/source/Vulture.com)|date=December 21, 2011|title=Roll Call: All 24 Ghosts Living in the American Horror Story House|first=Kyle|last=Buchanan|url=http://www.vulture.com/2011/12/24-ghosts-american-horror-story-house.html}} * In the 2013 musical [''Holiday Inn''](/source/Holiday_Inn_(musical)), Ted Hanover performs a [4th of July](/source/Independence_Day_(United_States)) tap number, making use of bang snaps to accentuate his dancing.{{Cite web |title=What to Expect From Broadway’s Holiday Inn |url=https://playbill.com/article/what-to-expect-from-broadways-holiday-inn |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809190400/https://playbill.com/article/what-to-expect-from-broadways-holiday-inn |archive-date=2024-08-09 |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=Playbill |language=en-US |url-status=live }}
==See also== *[Salute (pyrotechnics)](/source/Salute_(pyrotechnics)) *[Silver fulminate](/source/Silver_fulminate) *[Firecracker](/source/Firecracker) *[Cap pistol](/source/Cap_pistol) ==References== {{reflist}} == External links == *{{Commonscatinline}} Category:Types of fireworks Category:Pyrotechnics --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Bang snaps](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bang_snaps) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bang_snaps?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.