How old is gunpowder

The result was a mysterious powder from which, observers remarked in a text dated from the mid-9th century, "smoke and flames result, so that [the scientists'] hands and faces have been burnt, and even the whole house where they were working burned down.

Gunpowder was quickly put to use by the reigning Sung dynasty against the Mongols, whose constant invasions into the country plagued the Chinese throughout the period. The Mongols were the first to be subject to flying fire — an arrow fixed with a tube of gunpowder that ignited and would propel itself across enemy lines.

More gunpowder-based weapons were invented by the Chinese and perfected against the Mongols in the next centuries, including the first cannons and grenades. The psychological effect alone of the mystifying new technology likely helped the Chinese win battles against the Mongols, historians believe. Gunpowder somehow remained a monopoly of the Chinese until the 13th century, when the science was passed along the ancient silk trade route to Europe and the Islamic world, where it became a deciding factor in many Middle Age skirmishes.

Let the controversy begin. Selden's Map of China. Wills, Jr. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the relationship between war, society, and state in Asia or Europe. Paine, author of The Wars for Asia, — Due to global supply chain issues, book orders are currently taking days or longer to be delivered.

Please order early for the holidays or consider shopping at your local bookstore. Tonio Andrade A first look at gunpowder's revolutionary impact on China's role in global history. Illus: 21 halftones. This paste was then pushed through a screen to make small pellets which were then allowed to dry. This insured the proper mix throughout. This method, called corning, also allowed the manufacture of different grades of powder depending on the size of the holes in the screen.

The coarser or larger the corns or kernels, the less surface area and so the slower combustion of the powder. The largest grades were used for cannons, the smallest to prime small arms or be used in fireworks, incendiaries, and grenades.

Even so, the surface area was still volatile. Dust accumulated within the powder, and a single spark could mean disaster. In the 15th century, manufacturers began tumbling the kernels in silk tumblers to remove the dust.

By the mid 17th century, the grains were being polished by adding graphite to the tumbling, which tended to seal the grains and make them safer. People who made gunpowder would sometimes add water, wine, or another liquid to reduce this hazard since a single spark could result in a smoky fire. Once the serpentine was mixed with a liquid, it could be pushed through a screen to make small pellets, which were then allowed to dry.

To summarize, black powder consists of a fuel charcoal or sugar and an oxidizer saltpeter or niter , and sulfur , to allow for a stable reaction. The carbon from the charcoal plus oxygen forms carbon dioxide and energy. The reaction would be slow, like a wood fire, except for the oxidizing agent. Carbon in a fire must draw oxygen from the air. Saltpeter provides extra oxygen. Potassium nitrate, sulfur, and carbon react together to form nitrogen and carbon dioxide gases and potassium sulfide.

The expanding gases, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, provide the propelling action. Gunpowder tends to produce a lot of smoke , which can impair vision on a battlefield or reduce the visibility of fireworks. Changing the ratio of the ingredients affects the rate at which the gunpowder burns and the amount of smoke that is produced. While black powder and traditional gunpowder may both be used in firearms, the term "black powder" was introduced in the late 19th century in the United States to distinguish newer formulations from traditional gunpowder.

Black powder produces less smoke than the original gunpowder formula. It's worth noting early black powder was actually off-white or tan in color, not black! Pure amorphous carbon is not used in black powder.

Charcoal, while it contains carbon, also contains cellulose from incomplete combustion of wood. This gives charcoal a relatively low ignition temperature.