Gunpowder contains compounds that act as oxidisers (Potassium Nitrate, sulphur), so that oxygen is available instantly and hence the reactants will burn in a fraction of a second. The volume of the reactants is small

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Oxidation can be understood in two ways.

“The process of combining oxygen with some other substance or a

chemical change in which and atom loses electrons.”

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If there is a sufficient amount of oxygen in a combustion reaction, then

oxides will be formed. (See Fig 1)

The reaction below shows that with sufficient oxygen, carbon dioxide is

produced. However in the second equation when there is limited oxygen,

carbon monoxide is produced. (Fig 1)

From the above equation, one can tell that carbon has been oxidised as its

oxidation state has increased from 0 to +4.

This reaction happens with most elements including sulphur and potassium

and could lead to other compounds being formed, like Potassium Nitrate.

Gunpowder contains compounds that act as oxidisers (Potassium Nitrate,

sulphur), so that oxygen is available instantly and hence the reactants

will burn in a fraction of a second. The volume of the reactants is small

and confined to a small space and hence when they burn, the products are

hot gases, which results in a dramatic increase in pressure and

consequently cause an explosion.

The explosions can vary in magnitude due to

the different mixtures of reactants. If the

reaction is confined inside a shell or metal

casing, (See FIG 2) then the pressure will be

immense and hence a greater explosion will

result.

The solids that are used as reactants are also fine powders to increase

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the surface area of the reactants and hence oxidation will occur quicker

and therefore a more efficient explosion.

If the proportions of the different mixtures are controlled, then

different explosions can be made varying in their magnitude. Also using

different oxidisers can change the rate at which oxidation happens to

increase the explosion magnitude.

“The Gun Powder that was used for centuries is a mixture of powdered

potassium nitrate”. (Article 1 ~ Conkering cordite)

This was known as black powder in its

compressed form. ...

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