The extra heat generated excites the electrons in the colour-producing chemicals added in the firework mixture and thus produces beautiful colours. The oxidising property of potassium chlorate is ...

It is also not generally known that he introduced, in 1832, the method of preparing oxygen from potassium chlorate by heating in the presence of manganese dioxide.

Potassium chlorate is a potassium atom and a chlorine ... The mixture can go off via impact or heating, but it can also be triggered by friction. Friction can be as minor as on grain jostling ...

What about the oxidizer? In October Sky, the boys experimented with Potassium Chlorate. This is commonly used in rockets but may be more difficult to obtain for your average Mars colonist.

Red phosphorus is fairly stable, but microscopic amounts convert into dangerously unstable white phosphorus through friction heat ... a stiff paste of potassium chlorate and glue and rolling ...

The heat generated by the burning red phosphorus triggers the decomposition of the potassium chlorate. The oxygen released by potassium chlorate further assists the burning of the red phosphorus.