GUNPOWDER

Jeayun Lee
How was it Discovered?
■ Chinese scientists were experiencing with saltpeter

(powerful oxidizing agent potassium nitrate). One

person decided to mix it with sulfur and charcoal.

Researchers found a text dated from the mid-9th

century that said:

■ “Smoke and flames result, so that hands and

faces have been burnt, and even the whole
house where they were working burned down."
What Problem did this Innovation Solve?

■ Gunpowder was quickly put to use by

the reigning Sung dynasty against the
Mongols. The Mongols were constantly
invading China. As China created
gunpowder, they utilized it to form
flame arrows. They also created the
first cannons and grenades.
How did this innovation
work?
■ Carbon in a fire draws oxygen from the air.

Saltpeter provides extra oxygen, and speeds up

the process. Potassium nitrate (Salt Peter),

sulfur, and carbon react together to form

nitrogen, carbon dioxide gases, and potassium

sulfide. The released gases cause the

explosion.
How did this innovation
affect the rest of the world?
■ The procedure of how to make gunpowder
was passed along the ancient Silk Trade
Route.

■ By 1350, rudimentary gunpowder cannons

were used to fight against each other
(England and France) during the Hundred
Years' War.

■ The Ottoman Turks also employed gunpowder

cannons with abandon during their successful
siege of Constantinople in 1453.
■ The next important step for gunpowder

came when it was inserted into the

barrel of a handgun, which first

appeared in the mid-15th century

■ Today, most weapons used in the

military utilize gunpowder.

Sources
■ https://www.livescience.com/7476-gunpowder-changed-
world.html
■ https://www.thoughtco.com/gunpowder-facts-and-history-
607754
■ http://www.compoundchem.com/2014/07/02/the-
chemistry-of-gunpowder/