Taxing the Writer

Ancient Alchemy in the Classroom: A Honey-Based, Deflagrating Pyrotechnic

“…This impression misrepresents the importance of ancient investigations on the development of the proto-scientific methods that were applied through repeated and considered trial and error. Many modern chemical techniques arose from breakthroughs during this period, including metallic extractions, an understanding of acids and their actions (including the gold-dissolving mixture aqua regia), purification by distillation, and crucially for this demonstration the most favorable composition of gunpowder for fireworks and weaponry …”

“…The greatest achievement of the Chinese alchemists was the discovery of gunpowder and its application to pyrotechnics and warfare . The alchemy of China was primarily focused on elixirs of immortality, which can be seen in the Chinese word for gunpowder, huǒ yào , which has been translated literally as “fire drug” . Chinese texts from the 16th century make reference to the use of this “fire drug” for its medical application against ringworm, worms, and insects…”

“…A limiting factor in the development of gunpowder was the availability of potassium nitrate, the most difficult of the three ingredients to obtain in large quantities. The action of gunpowder varies greatly with the vessel used for its combustion: gunpowder deflagrates when burnt in an open vessel, while containment can be used to cause explosion or to launch projectiles …”