Page 26 - Curriculum Visions Dynamic Book

Nitrogen-containing explosives
Explosives design is a very specialised form of chemistry. Explosives can be used for propelling bullets and shells for use in war, but they can also be used for a wide range of peaceful purposes. Each type of explosive has its own exploding characteristics, described here.
Gunpowder
The world’s first true explosive, gunpowder, was invented in China in about 1000 AD. It is a mixture of 10% sulphur, 15% charcoal, and 75% potassium nitrate.
Gunpowder is one of the most important chemicals ever to be invented, because by allowing people to use explosive devices including guns and cannons, it changed the course of history.
Gunpowder was particularly easy to make explode because it is very sensitive to sparks. However, this same property meant that accidents were common. To reduce the chances of accidental explosions, gunpowder was mixed with graphite.
The main uses for gunpowder today are for fireworks and in artillery shells and fuses for hand grenades.
 By 1242 Roger Bacon was using a mixture of 41.2 parts saltpetre, 29.4 parts charcoal, and 29.4 parts sulphur for his gunpowder
in making fireworks. A gunpowder mixture is still used for fireworks, such as this catherine wheel.
 Many guns use explosives derived from nitrogen.
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