Hand Blasters are simple: toss one up in the air while holding the other in your hand. When the first ball strikes the second, you’ll hear a loud BANG. Great for startling people and sound effects, hand blasters provide hours of entertainment.

But, how do they work? These hand blasters are ceramic balls coated with potassium chlorate, sulfur, glue, and powdered glass. When the two balls collide, the friction between the sand causes a chemical reaction between the potassium chlorate and the sulfur. This reaction gives off energy in the form of heat and sound.

Try using your Hand Blasters in a dark room. Then try putting a piece of paper between the two balls when they strike each other and see what happens!