original template by Ray Lam, Fall 97
revised template by Marisha 5/1/98
Welcome to the Gunpowder Page. This page is divided into five sections:
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WHO:
WHERE:in the south of China WHEN:202 B.C.- 220 A.D. |
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Marc Sheehan Gunpowder is highly flammable and burns rapidly, forming high-pressure gas. Gunpowder is an explosive and is used as a propellant in a variety of guns, machines and heavy artillery. The main ingredients of the most basic form of gunpowder, black powder, are a mix of one part saltpeter (potassium nitrate), charcoal, and sulfur. Saltpeter is actually limestone found in caves that has precipitated down. Charcoal is formed by heating plant or animal life, that is rich in carbon. Sulfur is manly found in pyrite but is also found in coal, natural gas, oil shales, crude oil, and many minerals. These are pressed together and broken into small pieces. Black powder grains can range from fine powder to pellets. There are many different kinds of gunpowder. There is sulfurless gunpowder which has saltpeter and charcoal but no sulfur. Smokeless gunpowder creates less smoke during combustion, and colloided powders have even less smoke than the smokeless gunpowders. Gunpowder has many destructive forces. Some kinds of gunpowder can completely destroy a small building with a portion that is the amount of salt in a salt shaker. Gunpowder was suspected to have been invented between 202 B.C.- 220 A.D. in the south of China. Historians think that it was invented by the one of the kings scientist. This period of time was considered The Han Quin Dynasty . Gunpowder was first used by the ancient Chinese as a ceremonial celebration of the gods or god. The Chinese would pack the powder into bamboo chutes and throw them into large bonfires. It is suspected that the powder leaked out of weak chutes and exploded violently. That is how gunpowder was discovered to be of use in combat. During the night Chinese soldiers would throw the powder into the fire with hopes of scaring off the enemy. This knowledge moved west, probably through Arabs and finally arrived in Europe around the 1200Õs. Gunpowder contributed to the change of European houses and social system, called feudalism. Feudalism relied on heavy stone walls to provide a safe haven for its occupants, but the walls could not stand up to the force of explosive cannon. Today, gunpowder encases bullets. Gunpowder lines the shell and when the trigger is pulled the powder slips through the hole in the bottom and catches a spark. The powder explodes causing the bullet to explode forward. Since the invention of gunpowder and guns (1400Õs) they have been used for both good and bad. In the beginning they helped man hunt for food at a greater distance than ever before. When used to fight many people have died. |
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Faithful night Pouring the salty pebbles into the cast iron cylinder. Awaiting the destruction of 13 men. With the flick of his wrist he holds the power of god in his hands. The flame swerving in the night sky, smoke dancing through the dark expanse of a field. Lighting the pale wick, standing out against the waiting drones. Pointing their muskets at the glimmer of faces, not knowing who they are but wanting to kill them. The hammer pulled back. The trigger being clutched close to ones chest. Three bodies hurtling through the air, falling towards the ground as a final resting place. Shots are fired back and five fall. Thus beginning the battle. |
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