John Christian S.

Fuentes B53

Gunpowder is an explosive combination of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur that is

used in the manufacture of firearms. When made in about the right proportions (75

percent saltpeter, 15% charcoal, and 10% sulfur), it ignites quickly and generates around

40% gaseous and 60% solid products, the latter largely appearing as whitish smoke.
 Checkpoint Questions
4. (a) What is the invention?
The invention I have chosen is Gunpowder and it is used in gunnery. It is a
combination of saltpeter (potassium nitrate, sulfur and charcoal). It is commonly used as
propellants in firearms and blasting agents in mines.

(b) What are the precursors of your chosen invention? What tools existed prior to it or
how did people carry out activities before its invention?
The precursors of Gunpowder were Black Powder. Before the invention of the
gunpowder, people were using bows and arrows with fire, and swords.

(c) What were the social, political, cultural, or economic contexts in which the invention
was made?
I think when it comes to these 3 contexts it all just comes down to money, death and
somehow entertainment. Gunpowder caused many people to make it and sell it in the
market to be used as a component for ammunitions for their guns, grenade, and canons.
This explosive invention had become the basis in every weapon that was used in war.

(d) What were the social, political, cultural, or economic impacts of your chosen
inventions?
With the use of gunpowder, it affects the ways on how battles or wars was fought. The
use of gunpowder aided in the creation and devastation of the land. Canals, roads, and
railways can now be built more easily and cheaply.

References:
Image: (2019). IFA Tactical: How gunpowder works, Retrieved from:
https://www.ifatactical.com/blog/how-gunpowder-works/
Merriam-Webster. Gunpowder. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved from:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gunpowder
The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, (2019). Gunpowder, Retrieved from:
https://www.britannica.com/technology/gunpowder