Although it is only three to five centimetres long, the firecracker is capable of producing a sound louder than a jet engine.

The firecracker has two claws, one of which is disproportionately long. These two scissors are similar to a pistol with two hammers, namely one that moves backwards to a right-angled position and one that sits rigidly. When the two scissors snap together, a jet of water shoots upwards at speeds of up to 100 kilometres per hour. This creates a suction with considerable negative pressure in a cavitation bubble that bursts with a loud bang. The resulting noise is loud enough to make the glass of an aquarium shatter.