The Role of Potassium Nitrate in the Development of Fireworks

The key to fireworks is, of course, this special array of chemicals that come together to make gunpowder. Potassium nitrate was already being stuffed into bamboo during the southern song period of 1127 through 1279 in order to create a more impressive bang with the bamboo. And between these two periods, potassium nitrate is said to have emerged from the realm of Chinese alchemy. It provides a ready supply of extra oxygen. In the presence of heat and fuel, salt peter will massively accelerate the speed at which fuel burns.