Gunpowder and early firearms developed in the 13th-14th centuries in Europe. Black powder, the first propellant, consists of potassium nitrate, sulfur, and charcoal that burns rapidly to propel projectiles. Smokeless powder was later developed and does not produce smoke, using nitrocellulose as its base. It burns more efficiently in rifles and pistols. Black powder leaves residue while smokeless powder grains can sometimes be found at wound sites as evidence.

1. Chapter v

2. or power charge in a cartridge is
the propellant which, when ignited
by the primer flash,is converted to
gas under high pressure and
propels the bullet or shot charge
through the barrel and to the
target.
Gun powder

3. History
• Western Europe in 13th Century
• “First invented by Chinese and Arabs”
Roger Bacon an english monk
invented the gunpowder in 1248.

4. Berthold Schwartz a German monk for the
application of gunpowder to the propelling of a missile in
early 1300s.

5. Two types of gun powder
Black Powder - is the oldest of the
propellant
• Consist of irregular grains that have either
dull or shiny black surface
• When fired it produces large volumes of
grayish smoke and considerable residue is
left in the barrel
• When ignited it also burns quite rapidly

6. Composition of Black powder
Potassium Nitrate 75%
+
Sulphur 10%
+
+
Charcoal 15 %

9. Smokeless Powder
• Most powerful of propellants
• Does not give off huge cloud of white smoke
unlike the black powder
• Used in rifles,pistols and revolvers by
forming dough into sticks or grains
• Grains can be found round the entrance of
the wound
• once ignited, will burn rapidly and vigorously
until they are completely consumed.

10. Composition of Smokeless Powder
Nitrocellulose ( Single-base
powders)
Nitroglycerin ( double-base
powders)
Nitroguanidine ( triple-base
powders)

11. Black Powder Particles Matters

12. Smokeless Powder

13. Difference Between Smokeless powder and Black
powder

14. The End
Thank YOU!
Members:
Andrade
angco
Banlasan