Question

Gunpowder is an example of what kind of material?

a) A potassium nitrate compound in a one-to-one ratio with sulfur
b) A solid mixture containing some potassium nitrate and some sulfur
c) An aqueous mixture containing only potassium nitrite
d) A solid potassium nitrate compound
e) An aqueous potassium nitrate and sulfur compound

Answer 1

Gunpowder is a solid mixture that consists largely of charcoal, sulfur, and potassium nitrate. It is not a fixed compound or an aqueous solution, and its explosive characteristics come from the rapid reaction of its constituents when lit.

Step-by-step explanation:

Gunpowder, which was originally developed by the Chinese, is made up of a solid mixture of charcoal, sulfur, and saltpeter, also known as potassium nitrate. The components of gunpowder are not in a fixed ratio as they would be in a compound, and each constituent retains its own properties within the mixture. This means that gunpowder is not an aqueous mixture, nor is it a compound of just potassium nitrate, but rather a blend of separate substances that react together when ignited to release energy rapidly through an explosive reaction.

The explosive properties of gunpowder come from the transformation of charcoal into carbon dioxide gas, while potassium nitrate provides the necessary oxygen to support the rapid combustion. Sulfur helps to stabilize the mixture but also participates in the reaction. The individual components do not bond chemically to form a new compound; instead, they react chemically during combustion.