Question

The composition of gun powder is:

• A. Potassium nitrate 75%, Sulphur 15%, Charcoal 10%
• B. Nitroglycerin 30%, Nitrocellulose 65%, Mineral jelly 5%
• C. Nitrated wood Cellulose 20%, Potassium Nitrate 60%, Carbon 20%
• D. Nitroglycerin 58%, Nitrocellulose 37%, Mineral jelly 5%

Hint:

Remember the classic recipe for gunpowder: a 75/15/10 mix of Potassium Nitrate (oxidizer), Charcoal (fuel), and Sulfur (stabilizer). Don't confuse it with modern smokeless powders which are based on nitroglycerin and nitrocellulose.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Identify the substance. Gunpowder, also known as black powder, is the earliest known chemical explosive.

Step 2: Recall its composition. It consists of three main components:

Potassium nitrate (\(KNO_3\)): The oxidizer.
Charcoal (Carbon): The fuel.
Sulphur: A secondary fuel and stabilizer that lowers the ignition temperature.

Step 3: Check the proportions. The standard optimal composition for black powder is approximately 75% potassium nitrate, 15% charcoal, and 10% sulfur by weight. Option (1) lists proportions that are very close to this standard (with sulfur and charcoal percentages swapped, which is a common variation). Options (2) and (4) describe smokeless powders like cordite, not traditional gunpowder. Option (3) is an incorrect mixture.