Strontium carbonate a mineral, strontium carbonate is prepared synthetically in one of two manners. First of which is from naturally occurring celestine also known as strontium sulfate (SrSO) or by using soluble strontium salts by the reaction in solution with a soluble carbonate salt (usually sodium or ammonium carbonates). For example if sodium carbonate was used in solution with strontium nitrate: Sr(NO) + NaCO → SrCO + 2 NaNO . The most common use is as an inexpensive colorant in fireworks. Strontium and its salts emit a brilliant red color in flame. Unlike other strontium salts, the carbonate salt is generally preferred
Lead(II) nitrate has a standard reduction potential (E) of −0.125 V, or the nitrate ion, which under acidic conditions has an E of +0.956 V. The nitrate would function at high temperatures or in an acidic condition, while the lead(II) works best in a neutral aqueous solution. When heated, lead(II) nitrate crystals decompose to lead(II) oxide, oxygen and nitrogen dioxide. Because of this property, lead nitrate is sometimes used in pyrotechnics such as fireworks. Lead(II) nitrate is soluble in water but is almost insoluble in nitric acid. Because of the hazardous nature of lead(II) nitrate, there is a preference for using alternatives