Gunpowder

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/gunpowder

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the chemical formula (saltpeter)?KNO₃
2. What is the approximate period of first military use?Around the 10th century
3. What is gunpowder made of?Gunpowder is a mix of saltpeter (potassium nitrate), charcoal, and sulfur. These three ingredients work together to create a fast-burning explosion.
4. How does gunpowder make fireworks light up?When a spark starts it, the saltpeter gives oxygen, and the charcoal and sulfur burn quickly. This creates hot gases that push out bright sparks and loud noises.

Exothermic Reaction: A chemical reaction that releases energy, usually in the form of heat and light.
Saltpeter: Potassium nitrate, a key oxidizer in black powder that provides oxygen for combustion.
Ballistics: The science of projectile motion, including the study of firearms and their ammunition.
Smokeless Powder: A modern explosive propellant that burns with much less smoke than black powder.