text: what is black  powder?   black powder is a type of gunpowder invented in the 9th century and was practically the only known propellant and explosive until the middle of the 19th century. it has been superseded by more efficient explosives such as smokeless powders and tnt. it is still manufactured today but primarily for use in fireworks, model rocket engines, and reproductions of muzzleloading weapons black powder consists of the granular ingredients sulphur (s), charcoal (provides carbon to the reaction) and saltpetre (saltpetre, potassium nitrate, kno3; provides oxygen to the reaction).  a simple, commonly cited, chemical equation for the combustion of black powder is:  2 kno3 + s + 3c → k2s + n2 + 3co2  a more accurate, but still simplified[1], equation is  10 kno3 + 3s + 8c → 2k2co3 + 3k2so4 + 6 co2 + 5n2  the optimum proportions for gunpowder are: 74.64% saltpetre, 13.51% charcoal, and 11.85% sulfur (by mass). the current standard for black powder manufactured by pyrotechnicians today is 75% potassium nitrate, 15% softwood charcoal and 10% sulfur.