al-Harbiyya ('The Book of Military Horsemanship and Ingenious War Devices').

This was used for the manufacture of gunpowder and explosive devices. The terminology used by alRammah indicated a Chinese origin for the gunpowder weapons about which he wrote. While potassium nitrate was called "Chinese snow" by Arabs, it was called "Chinese salt" by the Iranians/Persians. During World War I, Germans needed nitrogen to make explosives. However, the Potassium nitrate (poe-TAS-ee-yum NYEtrate) is transparent, colorless, or white, and may be crystalline or powdery solid. It is a chemical compound with the formula KNO3. It is an ionic + salt of potassium ions K and nitrate ions
NO3

chloride with sodium nitrate

Gunpowder and fertilizer are the two major uses of potassium nitrate. Large quantities of potassium nitrate are used annually as fertilizer, as a source of both potassium and nitrogen for plants. It can also hasten the decay of tree stumps by acting as an oxidizer. Gunpowder was developed more than 2,200 years ago, in China, when potassium nitrate was mixed with carbon and sulfur, creating a black powder having explosive properties. This mixture, also known as "Chinese Snow" and "the Devil's Distillate" was manufactured into explosive grenades and bombs as early as 1000 A.D. Potassium nitrate also fuels fireworks, model rocket propellants and matches. Minor uses include its use in the manufacture of nitric acid and glass.

Allies blocked all trade routes, effectively cutting off the supply of potassium nitrate, their source of nitrogen. Using air, which contains 80% nitrogen, Fritz Haber and Charles Bosch, German chemists, developed and patented the Haber process, which takes molecular nitrogen from the air and combines it with molecular hydrogen under high pressure and heat to

The earliest known complete purification process for potassium nitrate was outlined in 1270 by the chemist and

form ammonia gas. Iron oxide is often used as a catalyst to speed up the process for commercial purposes. Prior to the development of this process, potassium nitrate was prepared by reacting potassium

of Syria in his book al-Furusiyya wa al-Manasib

engineer Hasan al-Rammah

Formula:

KSNO3
Elements:

Potassium, nitrogen, oxygen

Compound Type:
-

Salt (inorganic)
State:

Solid
Molecular Weight:

At one time, potassium nitrate was prepared by mixing manure with mortar or wood ash, soil, and an organic material, such as straw. The bed was kept moist with urine and turned often to speed decomposition of the organic matter. After a year, the bed was thoroughly watered, dissolving the potassium nitrate that had accumulated. It was then recrystallized and purified. Gunpowder was probably first used as early as the eleventh century. The English natural philosopher Roger Bacon (12141294) described a method for making gunpowder in 1242.

Saint Jude Catholic School High School Department 2012-2013

101.10 g/mol
Melting Point:

337C (639F)
Boiling Point:
Sources:

Not applicable; decomposes above 400C (750F)

Solubility:

Soluble in water and glycerol; slightly soluble in ethyl alcohol

http://www.bookrags.com/res earch/potassium-nitratechmc/ http://www.livestrong.com/ar ticle/251511-facts-aboutpotassium-nitrate/

Steven Lim Ang HS3-D RESPECT #12