Question

Write the constituents of gun powder. How can you separate different constituents of gun powder ?

Answer 1

Sulphur, charcoal and potassium nitrate are the constituents of gunpowder. These can be separated as follows:

Step 1️⃣ 

✔️Dissolve the gunpowder in water. Only potassium nitrate will dissolve.

Step 2️⃣

✔️Filter the solution. Filtrate is the solution of potassium nitrate and residue contains sulphur and charcoal.

Step 3️⃣

✔️Evaporate the filtrate to vaporize water. Potassium nitrate will be left behind and is thus separated.

Step 4️⃣

✔️Dissolve the residue in carbon disulphide which will dissolve sulphur but not charcoal. Filter the solution.

Step 5️⃣

✔️Charcoal is separated as the residue.

Step 6️⃣

✔️Evaporate the filtrate to vaporize carbon disulphide. Crystals of sulphur are left behind.