What are the chemical components of black powder?

The classical answer is very old:


Saltpeter, charcoal, sulfur.





In reality there are many versions, some very new.





Sodium nitrate (also called Chili saltpeter) can be substituted for Potassium nitrate (saltpeter). Potassium chlorate can also be used as the oxidizer.





The charcoal is best if from softwood (like artists charcoal) not hardwood (like charcoal briquettes). It must be in the form of a fine powder.





The sulfur used is usually called flowers of sulfur. This also is a very fine powder, not lumps of sulfur.





The addition of magnesium or aluminum powder will make ';flash powder,'; once used in photography.What are the chemical components of black powder?
Black powder consists of the granular ingredients sulfur (S), charcoal (provides carbon to the reaction) and saltpetre (saltpetre, potassium nitrate, KNO3; provides oxygen to the reaction).





A simple, commonly cited, chemical equation for the combustion of black powder is:





2 KNO3 + S + 3C 鈫?K2S + N2 + 3CO2


A more accurate, but still simplified[1], equation is





10 KNO3 + 3S + 8C 鈫?2K2CO3 + 3K2SO4 + 6 CO2 + 5N2


The products of burning do not follow any simple equation. One study's results showed it produced (in order of descending quantities): 55.91% solid products: Potassium carbonate, Potassium sulfate, Potassium sulfide, Sulfur, Potassium nitrate, Potassium thiocyanate, Carbon, Ammonium carbonate. 42.98% gaseous products: Carbon dioxide, Nitrogen, Carbon monoxide, Hydrogen sulfide, Hydrogen, Methane. 1.11% water





The optimum proportions for gunpowder are: 74.64% saltpetre, 13.51% charcoal, and 11.85% sulfur (by mass). The current standard for black powder manufactured by pyrotechnicians today is 75% potassium nitrate, 15% softwood charcoal and 10% sulfur.





For the most powerful black powder ';meal'; a wood charcoal is used. The best wood for the purpose is pacific willow, but others such as alder or buckthorn can be used. The ingredients are mixed as thoroughly as possible. This is achieved using a ball mill with non-sparking grinding apparatus (lead), or similar device.What are the chemical components of black powder?
A simple, commonly cited, chemical equation for the combustion of black powder is:





2 KNO3 + S + 3C 鈫?K2S + N2 + 3CO2





A more accurate, but still simplified, equation is:





10 KNO3 + 3S + 8C 鈫?2K2CO3 + 3K2SO4 + 6 CO2 + 5N2
Carbon, Sulfur, and Potassium nitrate.





Aloha
Charcoal, sulfur %26amp; saltpeter (NaNO3)
you'll only kill yourself.
charcoal + sodium nitrate + sulfur
sulfur (S), charcoal (provides carbon to the reaction) and saltpetre (saltpetre, potassium nitrate, KNO3; provides oxygen to the reaction). the person above put what is the chemical reaction which happens during combustion its not what in it
Boom+Boom=all gone!
Poppy seeds, drain-o, teddy bear filling (the synthetic stuff, not the cotton stuff), hair from a virgin, and 2 potatoes.





Have fun!!!
bat poop