Re: What is the difference between Gun powder & Black Powder

Dear User,

It saddens me to see someone so young who already wishes to terminate his earthly existence. I hope that you have made peace with whatever deity you worship (or at least with your family and friends).

I would advise you to read on the subject of gunpowder, and in general into some basic chemistry, BEFORE attempting to "fill a melon" with "a substantial amount" of gunpowder... I also would advise you, from the bottom of my hart, to learn proper ways to express measures and units. It is very hard to understand what do you mean when you refer to "much O2" etc.

Meanwhile: Gunpowder, black powder aka cannon powder is (commonly) a mixture of three components, C, S and KNO3. C and S are fuels, KNO3 is an oxidizer. IT DOES NOT NEED AIR TO BURN. The "secret" of gunpowder has been re-discovered several times in human history. As you (hopefully) know, not all ratios of gunpowder components produce this satisfying bang, which sends the internal organs a-jiggle (or sometimes, a-flying). Typically, ratios like 1:1:8 (weight) were used. Some rather thorough German individuals have established their ratios by experimentation - if I remember correctly, by shooting a cannonball and measuring the flight distance. I would thoroughly advise you not to fall in their step, though, unless you have *really* good lawyers (and doctors). One may ask - why one can't just draw the chemical equation having components on the left, products on the right and lots of heat (the fun part) in the middle ? Something like

The problem is that when gunpowder burns it does not produce just a few products. Along with the major ones, it produces CO, CS2, K2O, oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulphur, etc. etc. Ratios depend on the conditions of burning i.e. temperature/pressure and such. Generally explosion of gunpowder in a steel bomb and explosion of the gunpowder in a melon would produce different ratios of products. Not to mention that charcoal can be from a variety of sources including but not limited to willow, corn, ash, oak, cocoa and my favorite one - bone. Every brand of charcoal has its own composition, and it would be very wrong to think that any charcoal is just "C". Last nd not least, the way one makes gunpowder i.e. "the German method", "the Army method", the "CIA method" etc. affects its burn rate and composition of products.

Now, I assume that at this point you take a quick trip to a library (naw, more likely to the Internet) and read up on Gunpowder, its Manufacture and Related Hazards. Also while you are at it, find out what kind of jail term are you facing if you blow something up, or blow someone's limb off. I am told that in special cases they make exceptions for the adolescents and you *can* actually go to jail instead of "rehabilitation colony" aka prison camp for youngsters. In simple words, don't do it. Even if you feel that you know the subject, still don't do it. Join a rocketry club, if you want to launch things, or at least become a chemist first.

Finally, what happens if you do not add S to the gunpowder - fairly simple, it would not be gunpowder. It would be a *very weak* herb composition. (herb is a pyrotechnic device which jets sparks and smoke when ignited). Resulting mixture, if wetted and dried, may be good for lighting campfires, though it would be somewhat hygroscopic.

We all (well, let's say "a significant proportion of people") were fascinated by gunpoweder at a certain age. This affection is a sign that the person has certain potential "for all things chemical". For some, the love of colored fire and smoke develops into the love of fireworks. Some become chemists and such. Some eventually gravitate towards Ammonite, RDX, TNT and other lethal abbreviations. A small portion become deeply interested in "real" rockets, jet engines and other peaceful applications of high energy compounds. There is no end of possibilities, open to those who were once fascinated by the magic of gunpowder. Unfortunately, many people never realize this potential, because of grevious injuries obtained while playing with homemade propellants or explosives.
DeBeers claim that "Diamond is forever". They are only half-right. The statement should probably be "Scars and diamonds are forever". Be wise.

For any specific questions related to the topic, please feel free to write me personally.
Hope it helps,

A.G.E.