"Keep your
powder dry" |
|
| Gunpowder is a mixture
of carbon, potassium nitrate and sulfur. When ignited the ingredients undergo
a powerful chemical reaction that produces gaseous products and releases
a great deal of heat. However, discovered in 1245 by Friar Roger Bacon,
gunpowder must be kept dry. Hence the term "Keep your powder dry". Water molecules dissolve soluble substances. Once dissolved the molecules or particles of the soluble substance are not in a position to react together and cause a reaction to take place. |
|
Guncotton
or nitrocellulose, just like gunpowder, was used to fire cannon balls.
However it can be stored safely in water without deteriorating. When needed,
it is taken out of the water and dried.
|
|
| The video on the right shows the burning of gun cotton when dry. | |
| Gunpowder is a | |
| Guncotton is a | |
| Potassium nitrate is a salt and is sometimes referred to as saltpeter. View the animation of how salt dissolves and suggest a reason why wet gunpowder is useless, even after drying. | |
| Why can guncotton be stored safely underwater but gunpowder can not? | |
