Hunter Stephenson Chemistry Period 4 1-4-13

Potassium Nitrate Essay Potassium Nitrate is a compound formed by Potassium (K) and Nitrogen (N). Potassium Nitrate was first used in China during the B.C times. (Anjus Chiedozie) The Chinese created a mixture of Potassium Nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur to make explosions. (Anjus Chiedozie) Although people may not know it, Potassium Nitrate is commonly used in fertilizer, rocket propellants, and fireworks. (Anjus Chiedozie) This essay will focus on the key points of Potassium nitrate that include background characteristics, chemical and physical properties, type of bonding, and the uses and safety measures of it. (Author used: Anjus Chiedozie) The first thing that will be addressed in this essay is the history and background characteristics of Potassium Nitrate. Potassium Nitrate, also known as known as collo-bo, saltpeter, and niter was discovered as an explosive compound by the Chinese during B.C times. (Anjus Chiedozie) Due to the discovery of the Chinese and the extreme explosive power Potassium nitrate is capable of, it has earned the right of nicknames such as "Chinese snow" and "the devil's distillate." (Anjus Chiedozie) As years passed, Potassium Nitrate evolved. By the 11th century, inventors were using potassium nitrate for their explosive innovations, and by the 13th century, Potassium Nitrate was being used all throughout Europe. (Anjus Chiedozie) By the 1900s, people began to produce Potassium Nitrate on an industrial scale. During World War I, Potassium Nitrate was the number one ingredient when making gunpowder. (Anjus Chiedozie) Eventually, technology caught up with this method, and the use of potassium nitrate in wars ended. Today, Potassium Nitrate is one of the main components in artillery-shell primers and
hand-grenade fuses. (Anjus Chiedozie) Potassium Nitrate is also a main component in fireworks and smoke bombs. (Author used: Anjus Chiedozie)

Hunter Stephenson Chemistry Period 4 1-4-13

The next thing that will be addressed is the chemical and physical properties of Potassium Nitrate. Potassium nitrate is known by its chemical symbol, KNO3. (Sara Anglin) Potassium Nitrate is a white solid that easily dissolves in water and remains stable unless mixed with another element. (Sara Anglin) When mixed with other substances, Potassium Nitrate can become very dangerous and explosive. (Sara Anglin) Potassium Nitrates melting point occurs at 334 degrees centigrade and it reaches boiling at 400 degrees centigrade. (David L. Heiserman) Usually, the flames produced by Potassium Nitrate are a bright orange color when its in less pure forms, but when its in a pure form, the flames produced are a pale violet color. (David L. Heiserman) Since Potassium Nitrate can be very flammable, when being transported, trucks are required to have signs on the back of their trucks signifying that there are flammable items on board. (Joan Wetzel) (Authors: Sara Anglin, David L. Heiserman, Joan Whetzel) The last thing that will be talked about are the bonds of potassium nitrate, and the safety measures that must be taken when using Potassium Nitrate. Potassium Nitrate is a covalent bond meaning that it involves sharing a pair of electrons between atoms in a molecule. (Joseph J. Lagowski) The potassium ion (K+) is ionically bonded with the nitrate ion (NO3-) However, within the nitrate ion three oxygen atoms are bonded to a central nitrogen atom through covalent bonds. (Joseph J. Lagowski) When dealing with Potassium Nitrate, it is very important to use the correct safety measures. (A.W Ferrin) It can be very hazardous when Potassium Nitrate is inhaled through the nose. (A.W Ferrin) It can cause extreme damage to the respiratory system and it can lead to death depending on the amount inhaled. (A.W Ferrin) It is very important to wear long sleeves and eye protection when using Potassium Nitrate as well. (Neil Litherland) When Potassium Nitrate comes into contact with the skin or eyes, it can cause irritation and

Hunter Stephenson Chemistry Period 4 1-4-13

swelling. (Neil Litherland) If this does happen, it is important to use water to clean the areas exposed. (Neil Litherland) Chronic exposure of potassium nitrate can lead to nausea, headaches, dizziness, comas, and even death. (Neil Litherland) It is very important when using potassium nitrate to use it with caution and treat it like an explosive compound. (Neil Litherland) (Authors used: Joseph J. Lagowski, A.W Ferrin, Neil Litherland) Potassium nitrate reacts readily with acids to produce double replacement reactions. For example, potassium hydroxide reacts with nitric acid to form potassium nitrate (KNO3) and water (H2O) The experiment I chose was to mix potassium hydroxide and nitric acid to see what the products would be. The first step was to mix the two compounds. I measured out approximately two grams of potassium hydroxide and added it to a distilled beaker of nitric acid. The next step was to put the mixture over low heat. Since the two compounds produced a mixture of water and potassium nitrate, the heat from the burner boiled off all of the excess water and nitric acid and I was left with potassium nitrate. Chemical Equation KOH + HNO3 KNO3 + H2O (Already Balanced) Supplies for Experiment 1 Beaker, Beaker Tongs, Hot Plate, Approximately thirty-five milliliters of distilled nitric acid, two pieces of potassium hydroxide that should weigh approximately two grams.

Hunter Stephenson Chemistry Period 4 1-4-13

In conclusion, Potassium Nitrate is a compound that has one of the most interesting histories behind it because of the fact that it has been used for many things for over 2000 years. Potassium Nitrate is also a very dangerous compound, and when being used, proceed with caution. It is easy to conclude that Potassium Nitrate is a very dangerous, and when it comes into contact with the right substance, it can be very explosive. Although Potassium Nitrate is one of the most dangerous compounds on Earth, History would not be the same without it.

Hunter Stephenson Chemistry Period 4 1-4-13 Bibliography -Joseph J. Lagowski. Encyclopedia of Chemistry Volume 3 Copyright 1997, Accessed 25 September, 2013 -David L. Heiserman. Exploring Chemical Elements and their Compunds. TAB Books, copyright 1992, accessed. 25 Sept. 2013 --Chiedozie, Anjus. "History of Potassium Nitrate | EHow." EHow. Demand Media, 22 Aug. 2009. Web. 25 Sept. 2013. -A.W Ferrin. Moodys Magazine Published 1912. A.W Ferrin, Accessed 25 September 2013 - Litherland, Neal. "Potassium Nitrate Dangers | EHow." EHow. Demand Media, 22 Aug. 2009. Web. 11 Nov. 2013. 25 Sept. 2013 - Wetzel, Joan. "Potassium Nitrate Dangers | EHow." EHow. Demand Media, 22 Aug. 2009. Web. 25 Sept. 2013. - Sara Anglin. Volume Libraries Chemistry Volume 1. Southwestern, copyright 2004, 25 Sept. 2013.