Properties of carbon and sulfur questions

[taregg]

what is the properties of chimcal reaction for carbon and sulfur in gunpowder...and what different reaction happens if the gunpowder have just carbon without sulfur

 

[hilbert2]

The carbon and sulfur in black powder are reducing agents, while the potassium nitrate is an oxidizing agent. The reaction releases lots of heat and gaseous products, which makes it possible to use the mixture as an explosive.

I think the reason why sulfur is added in the mixture is because it speeds up the combustion. I actually once made a mixture of KNO₃ and carbon without sulfur, and it seemed to burn like black powder but slower.

Note that in physicsforums we are not allowed to discuss in detail how to make explosives...

 

[taregg]

what a bout if use phosphor instead of carbon...what happen in chimcal reaction...

 

[Borek]

We don't discuss explosives at PF.

 

[LudusRex]

The properties of carbon and sulfur play important roles in the chemical reaction of gunpowder. Carbon is a highly reactive element that can form strong bonds with other elements, while sulfur is a non-metal that can also form bonds with other elements. In gunpowder, carbon and sulfur combine with potassium nitrate (KNO3) to form a chemical reaction.

When gunpowder contains both carbon and sulfur, the mixture undergoes a combustion reaction when ignited. This reaction produces a large amount of heat and gas, which creates the explosive force in gunpowder. The reaction also produces carbon dioxide gas (CO2) and sulfur dioxide gas (SO2), which contribute to the characteristic smoke and smell of gunpowder.

If gunpowder only contains carbon without sulfur, the reaction will not be as powerful. This is because sulfur plays a crucial role in the combustion process by providing additional oxygen to the reaction. Without sulfur, the combustion reaction will not be as efficient and may not produce enough gas and heat to create a strong explosion.

In summary, the properties of carbon and sulfur in gunpowder are essential for its explosive nature. The combination of these elements with potassium nitrate creates a powerful chemical reaction that results in the explosive force of gunpowder. Without sulfur, the reaction would not be as effective, and the gunpowder would not have the same explosive properties.