gunpowder
Musket's explosive charge
Gunpowder is an explosive mixture of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur—the original propellant for firearms and the first chemical explosive in widespread use.
It remains important in fireworks, blasting, and ammunition primers.
The smell of gunpowder hung in the air.
Green gunpowder is a type of Chinese tea, its leaves rolled into pellet shapes.
Potassium nitrate compound
- sulfurYellow combustible element
- charcoalBurned wood residue
- corningSalt-preserving meat
- granulationMaking into small grains
serpentine · blackpowder · mixture · formula · ratio · grinding · incorporating · glazing
Muzzle-loaded infantry firearm
- rifleLong-barreled shoulder weapon
- pistolCompact one-handed firearm
- cannonLarge mounted gun
- flintlockFlint-sparked firearm mechanism
matchlock · cartridge · ammunition · bullet · barrel · chamber · breech-loading · muzzle-loading
Explosive ignition event
- blastSudden forceful burst
- explosionViolent burst of energy
- ignitionStarting combustion process
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
flashpoint · fuse · primer · charge · concussion · demolition · ordnance · mine
Large mounted gun
- mortarGrinding bowl or binder
- howitzerShort-barreled artillery piece
- bombardAttack without ceasing
- culverinHistorical long-range cannon
siege · battery · bombardment · fortification · rampart · bastion · breaching · salvo
Explosive light displays
- sparklersHandheld burning wands
- rocketsPropulsion-driven flying vehicles
- fountainsWater-spouting structures
- firecrackersSmall explosive novelties
chrysanthemum · peony · willow · palm · burst · colors · display · celebration
New device or method
- ChineseOf that Asian nation
- medievalOf the Middle Ages
- RenaissanceEuropean cultural reawakening
- MughalsIndo-Persian imperial dynasty
castle · fortification · arquebus · bombard · culverin · alchemy
saltpeter
Potassium nitrate compound
granulation · serpentine · blackpowder · mixture · formula · ratio · grinding · incorporating · glazing · pressing
musket
Muzzle-loaded infantry firearm
flintlock · matchlock · cartridge · ammunition · bullet · barrel · chamber · breech-loading · muzzle-loading · blunderbuss
detonation
Explosive ignition event
combustion · flashpoint · fuse · primer · charge · concussion · demolition · ordnance · mine · grenade
cannon
Large mounted gun
culverin · siege · battery · bombardment · fortification · rampart · bastion · breaching · salvo · volley
fireworks
Explosive light displays
- sparklersHandheld burning wands
- rocketsPropulsion-driven flying vehicles
- fountainsWater-spouting structures
firecrackers · chrysanthemum · peony · willow · palm · burst · colors · display · celebration · festival
invention
New device or method
- ChineseOf that Asian nation
- medievalOf the Middle Ages
- RenaissanceEuropean cultural reawakening
Mughals · castle · fortification · arquebus · bombard · culverin · alchemy
smoke
Airborne combustion byproduct
- flashBrief burst of light
- boomLoud deep sound
- thunderclapExplosive atmospheric sound
sulfurous · acrid · smell · haze · residue · soot · spark · crack · report · plume
- Innovationselectricity, steam engine, printing press, telephone, telegraph
- ChinaBeijing, Shanghai, Great Wall, Yellow River, Chinese calligraphy
- East Asian Culturechopsticks, yin and yang, tea ceremony, origami, qi
- historical warfaremusket, bayonet, cannon, flintlock, cavalry
- Asian inventionspaper money, compass, silk production, movable type, printing
- Robinson CrusoeFriday, Crusoe, Daniel Defoe, desert island, shipwreck
gunpowderwater
Clear essential liquid
sand · damp squib · fire retardant · asbestos · baking soda
gunpowderprinting press
Mechanical text reproduction device
penicillin · vaccine · medicine · plow · compass
gunpowderstable compound
Molecule resistant to decomposition
wet sand · fireproof material · water · inert gas · sand