Gunpowder is one of China’s four great inventions. It is a substance that can burn quickly and regularly under the influence of appropriate external energy, and at the same time generate a large amount of high-temperature gas. In the military, it is mainly used as propellant for bullets and artillery shells, propellant for rockets and missiles, and energy for other driving devices. It is an important part of ammunition.
An outstanding achievement in the history of human civilization. Gunpowder, with its lethality and deterrence, has brought human beings peace of mind and security, and has become one of the important inventions of human civilization.
Gunpowder is a mixture of sulfur, saltpeter, and charcoal. A long time ago, our ancestors had a certain understanding of these three substances. As early as the Neolithic Age, people were familiar with charcoal and used it as fuel when firing pottery. During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, people widely used charcoal in metallurgy. Charcoal has less ash than firewood and is stronger, making it a better fuel than firewood.
Gunpowder was invented by the Chinese more than a thousand years ago. The study of gunpowder began with the ancient Taoist alchemy. The ancients refined elixirs in order to seek immortality. The purpose and motivation of alchemy were absurd and ridiculous, but its experimental methods still had merits, which ultimately led to the invention of gunpowder.
Engels spoke highly of China’s pioneering role in the invention of gunpowder, “It has now been proven beyond any doubt that gunpowder was passed from China to the Arabs through India and then introduced along with gunpowder weapons from the Arabs through Spain. Europe. "The invention of gunpowder greatly promoted the process of historical development and was one of the important pillars of the European Renaissance.
China is the first country to invent gunpowder. During the Sui Dynasty, the ternary system gunpowder of saltpeter, sulfur and charcoal was born. Black gunpowder officially appeared in the Tang Dynasty (late 9th century). Gunpowder was invented by ancient alchemists. From the Warring States Period to the early Han Dynasty, the emperors and nobles were intoxicated with the fantasy of becoming gods and immortality, driving some alchemists and Taoist priests to refine "elixirs", and gradually invented the gunpowder formula during the refining process.
Extended information:
China invented gunpowder and was first used to make fireworks (it is worth mentioning that many people believe that China has no scientific statement, and whatever gunpowder is used to make fireworks , created the compass for feng shui), and soon applied it to the military, and invented the world's first rocket. Cannons and muskets The military use of gunpowder in China during the Song Dynasty was quite mature, making China's technology far ahead of the world.
Gunpowder has brought harm to our Republic of China. Gunpowder spread to foreign countries, allowing them to manufacture guns, cannons, tanks, aircraft and other combat supplies. After they are manufactured, they use weapons modified from gunpowder invented in China to attack China.
Reference: China.com - One of China’s Four Great Inventions: Gunpowder