Who Invented War Changing Gunpowder?

By Author: Jorge Reis
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Gunpowder has been around for a very long time. It has been used as a weapon and to create beauty and art. Strangely enough this explosive powder that is responsible for pain and death was actually created trying to find immortality. The invention of gunpowder has had a huge impact on the world. Here is some interesting information about the invention of gunpowder and its uses.

> The Chinese Taoist monks is responsible for the invention of gunpowder in the 9th century
> The Taoist monks were searching for an elixir of immortality, not a weapon of mass destruction
> The first documentation of gunpowder was in the mid 800’s
* It was in a passage of a Taoist text
* The mix was of sulfur, realgar, saltpetre and honey
> The Chinese used gunpowder in warfare creating:
* Flamethrowers
* Rockets
* Bombs
* Mines
* Firearms
* Canons
> The Chinese also created fireworks using gunpowder
> Gunpowder is a mix of sulfur, charcoal and potassium nitrate.
* Potassium nitrate is also known as saltpeter
* Can be stored ...
... unsealed and stay viable for centuries as long as it is not exposed to water
* This is the type of powder was used in muzzleloader weapons such as pistols up to canons and everything in between
> Gunpowder with uses sodium nitrate must be sealed from any moisture
* This type of powder is usually used for blasting not shooting
> The solids and gases formed when gunpowder is burned is what propels weapons and fireworks
> It is considered a low explosive
> Black powder is another name for gunpowder
> Black power was used in mining, fireworks, bombs and projectile weapons
> Gunpowder known as black powder is no longer used in firearms, a smokeless powder is
> Gunpowder is still used in:
* Blank rounds
* Signal flares
* Burst charges
* Rescue-line launches
* Fireworks (lifting the shells)
* Fuel for rockets
* Special effects
* Blasting in mining
- It has a low brisance †an explosive that does not create a damaging shock wave
- It causes fewer fractures in stone
- Is used for blasting valuable stone such as granite and marble
About Author:
Jorge Reis is the author of History of Potassium and Who invented Gunpowder.