Search results
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.
May 22, 2024 · Learn about the origin, chemistry, and applications of gunpowder, the first explosive mixture 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).
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.
How did gunpowder weapons transform warfare in Asia? Explore the origins, innovations, and variations of gunpowder technology in China, Central Asia, and the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal empires.
Apr 26, 2024 · How to Make Gunpowder. Gunpowder, also called black powder, is a simple mixture of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal. The trickiest part of making black powder is sourcing these three supplies. Once you find them, you mix them together and create an explosive black meal.
- 1.9M
Nov 1, 2023 · Learn how gunpowder was invented in China in the 10th century and how it spread to the rest of the world. Discover its uses, ingredients, and chemical reaction.
