Introduction
I chose gunpowder because if its explosive qualities and also because i love to blow things up.Gunpowder was first discovered in china during the 8th century.The Chinese used it to treat skin diseases because it would kill the bacteria, they later discovered its military purposes. Gunpowder is still used in military equipment today all around the world
Composition of ...
The composition of gunpowder is pretty simple it is just potassium nitrate, sulfur and charcoal.
Main Chemicals, Compounds, Components
Potassium Nitrate(KNO3)
Colorless crystal that can be smashed up into a fine white powder. When it decomposes it releases oxygen and is commonly used in such things as explosives, fireworks, model rocket propellants, matches, and fertilizers, and as a preservative in food.
Charcoal(C)
Black solid that is the residue of when wood, bone, or other organic materials are burned in the absence of air. It is basically pure carbon and is used in cooking, helps filter water, and it also helps prevent rust.
Chemistry's Role
Chemistry plays a big role in the properties of gunpowder because all of the ingredients in it are traced back to the periodic table. Charcoal provides the carbon and Sulfur provides most of the fuel. Also when making potassium nitrate you have to combbind 1 atom of potassium, 1 atom nitrogen, and 3 atoms of oxygen. The reaction of gunpowder when it lights on fire is exothermic, and it burns at a speed of 500 m/s
The chemical reaction of gunpowder
10KNO3 + 3S + 8C → 2K2CO3 +3K2SO4 + 6CO2 + 5N2
Background Research
Gunpowder was first discovered in China during the Tang dynasty in the 8th century, they were the first to mix sulphur and saltpeter with charcoal to create the explosive powder.
The Chinese used it to treat skin diseases because it would kill the bacteria, they later discovered its military purposes. Thats when they created the Chinese fire arrow, they would attach gunpowder packets to their arrows and shoot them. After doing that for awhile they realized that the if you placed the gunpowder in a bamboo stick the force of the explosion would propel the bamboo stick without launching from a bow and arrow.
Resources
http://prezi.com/asus4u-g-7q0/the-chemistry-of-gunpowder/
Information about the chemical formula of gunpowder
http://www.sciences360.com/index.php/gunpowder-black-powder-saltpeter-blasting-powder-18729/
The properties of gunpowder
http://inventors.about.com/od/chineseinventors/a/gunpowder.htm
History of gunpowder
Where sulfur comes from.
http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/science/potassium-nitrate.html#ixzz315jilxiS
Potassium nitrate
About the Author
Isaac Reinschmidt is a junior at Billings Senior High School. He enjoys golfing, pole vaulting, snowboarding and wakeboarding. He has an older brother and an older sister that have both attended Billings Senior High School. He plans on going to college and becoming an mechanical engineer.