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Gunpowder, also commonly known as black powder to distinguish it from modern smokeless powder, is the earliest known chemical explosive. It consists of a mixture of sulfur, charcoal (which is mostly carbon ), and potassium nitrate (saltpeter). The sulfur and charcoal act as fuels while the saltpeter is an oxidizer.
Jun 28, 2024 · Learn about the origin, chemistry, and applications of gunpowder, the first explosive used in firearms and mining. Explore the evolution of black powder, nitrocellulose, and pyrodex, and their effects on warfare and industry.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Gunpowder is the first explosive to have been developed. Popularly listed as one of the "Four Great Inventions" of China, it was invented during the late Tang dynasty (9th century) while the earliest recorded chemical formula for gunpowder dates to the Song dynasty (11th century).
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Jun 6, 2019 · Learn about the origin, composition, and uses of gunpowder or black powder, a chemical mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter. Find out how gunpowder works as a propellant and an explosive, and how it differs from modern substitutes.
- Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Learn how Chinese alchemists invented gunpowder and used it for fireworks, medicine and warfare. Discover the origins of the rocket and the Book of the Kinship of the Three.
Nov 1, 2023 · Gunpowder is a mixture of sulfur, carbon (charcoal), and potassium nitrate (saltpeter) that is also commonly known as “black powder” due to its color. Compared to other chemical explosives, gunpowder is relatively simple to produce. Each of its three ingredients plays an important role in the reaction.
Feb 3, 2019 · Learn about the history and chemistry of black powder or gunpowder, the earliest known chemical explosive. Find out how charcoal, saltpeter, and sulfur are mixed to make different types of black powder.
