Chemistry The discovery of gunpowder, or black powder, by the Chinese in the 10th Century revolutionized how wars were fought. Gunpowder is the earliest known chemical explosive composed of approximately 75 percent potassium nitrate (KNO3), commonly known as saltpeter, 15 percent charcoal and 10 percent sulfur. This ratio of 75:15:10 ratio of saltpeter, charcoal and sulfur is commonly known as black powder. Together, the mixture of these three compounds in a proper ratios create a powerful explosive. The reason gunpowder became the primary propellant for artillery and guns for over 800 years was that gunpowder didn’t require exposure to air to burn. As saltpeter decomposes at high temperatures, it provides oxygen for the reaction.
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Black powders ignite at approximately 427-464 degrees Celsius, depending on the composition. When black powder is ignited, less than 50% of the black powder is converted to gas. The rest of the black powder is converted into the black residue composed of potassium sulfate and potassium carbonate. Black powder can be ignited in many different ways. Due to its low ignition temperature, a flame is all that is needed to ignite the substance. As time went on, different civilizations developed safer and faster ways to light black powder. Matchlock mechanisms, where a buring object struck the powder, and flintlock mechanisms, where a hammer strikes a piece of flint sending sparks, lighting the powder, were the two most common means of …show more content…
One of the advantages of using gunpowder is its low brisance, which leads to fewer fractures in rocks when exploded. This makes it perfect in quarrying, where shattering rock is quite common. Gunpowder is frequently used to make tunnels through mountains as it is powerful enough to shatter the rock but not compromise the integrity of the mountain. It is also been used extensively in mining. First used in the early 17th century by the Dutch, gunpowder has been a powerful tool, making mining easier and less time consuming. Prior to the invention, men would have to mine using only their tools. Gunpowder allowed for quick and easy excavation. The invention of gunpowder fueled the industrial revolution. It allowed for mines to quickly obtain valuable ores needed for machines and building as cities around the world began to
Black powders ignite at approximately 427-464 degrees Celsius, depending on the composition. When black powder is ignited, less than 50% of the black powder is converted to gas. The rest of the black powder is converted into the black residue composed of potassium sulfate and potassium carbonate. Black powder can be ignited in many different ways. Due to its low ignition temperature, a flame is all that is needed to ignite the substance. As time went on, different civilizations developed safer and faster ways to light black powder. Matchlock mechanisms, where a buring object struck the powder, and flintlock mechanisms, where a hammer strikes a piece of flint sending sparks, lighting the powder, were the two most common means of …show more content…
One of the advantages of using gunpowder is its low brisance, which leads to fewer fractures in rocks when exploded. This makes it perfect in quarrying, where shattering rock is quite common. Gunpowder is frequently used to make tunnels through mountains as it is powerful enough to shatter the rock but not compromise the integrity of the mountain. It is also been used extensively in mining. First used in the early 17th century by the Dutch, gunpowder has been a powerful tool, making mining easier and less time consuming. Prior to the invention, men would have to mine using only their tools. Gunpowder allowed for quick and easy excavation. The invention of gunpowder fueled the industrial revolution. It allowed for mines to quickly obtain valuable ores needed for machines and building as cities around the world began to