How does sensory memory contribute to the persistence of vision when watching fireworks?

Sensory memory plays a crucial role in the phenomenon known as persistence of vision, particularly in experiences such as watching fireworks. When you see a firework explode, the bright burst of light is momentarily retained in your sensory memory, which allows you to perceive the firework as it transitions and fades. This retention creates the effect of trails of light, where the image of the firework is not immediately erased from your visual system.

As multiple fireworks explode in rapid succession, their light trails overlap and combine, enhancing the visual experience and giving the illusion that the fireworks are creating a continuous stream of movement. This "trailing" effect is a direct result of the way sensory memory holds onto the light information for a fraction of a second, allowing us to perceive a series of fleeting images as a fluid and vibrant display rather than a series of separate events.