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What metals are in gunpowder?

Updated: 8/10/2023
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13y ago

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No, magnesium is a type of metal. It can heat up in fire, but is not actually apart of the fire.

The above stated answer is actually only partially correct. It is a chemical element with the symbol Mg, atomic number 12 and common oxidation number +2. It is an alkaline earth metal and the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust.

However,Magnesium metal and its alloys are explosive hazards; they are highly flammable in their pure form when molten or in powder or ribbon form. Burning or molten magnesium metal reacts violently with water. When working with powdered magnesium, safety glasses with welding eye protection are employed, because the bright white light produced by burning magnesium contains u/v light that can permanently damage the retinas of the eyes.

Magnesium is capable of reducing water to the highly flammable hydrogen gas:Mg (s) + 2 H2O (l) → Mg(OH)2 (s) + H2 (g)

As a result, water cannot be used to extinguish magnesium fires; the hydrogen gas produced will only intensify the fire. Dry sand is an effective smothering agent but is usable only on relatively level and flat surfaces.

Magnesium also reacts with carbon dioxide to form magnesium oxide and carbon:2 Mg (s) + CO2 → 2 MgO (s) + C (s)

Hence, carbon dioxide fire extinguisher cannot be used for extinguishing magnesium fires either.

Burning magnesium is usually quenched by using a D-Class dry chemical fire extinguisher, or by covering the fire with sand or magnesium foundry flux to remove its air source, It should be noted as well, that sand is a means of last resort, depending on the size of magnesium fire, if it is widespread, the heat generated will actually melt the sand into its liquid form glass.

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13y ago
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13y ago

No, magnesium is an element. Gun powder is a compound made from charcoal and potassium nitrate.

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14y ago

yes i believe it is

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13y ago

There are no metals in gunpowder.

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Q: What metals are in gunpowder?
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What element is commonly used in flash bulbs for producing light?

Magnesium is used extensively in old-fashioned flash photography. It is used in some fireworks, also. Fireworks usually contain a mixture of metals chosen for the colors they produce, along with gunpowder. Old fashioned flash powder can be made several ways including gunpowder mixed with tiny particles of magnesium, aluminum, or other metals.


What is the collective noun of gunpowder?

There is no specific collective noun for gunpowder, in which case, you use an appropriate noun suited to the situation a pound of gunpowder, a flask of gunpowder, a box of gunpowder, etc.


Why should gunpowder be illegal?

Gunpowder can be used to make a bomb. So unless you are licensed to be in possession of gunpowder, owning gunpowder is illegal.


What happens when you smash gunpowder with a hammer?

Nothing.. Gunpowder does not impact-detonate, which is why bullets have a "primer" that will ignite the gunpowder when it is struck. Nothing.. Gunpowder does not impact-detonate, which is why bullets have a "primer" that will ignite the gunpowder when it is struck.


What was gunpowder supposed to be?

instead of bullets they had gunpowder.


What is an ingredient of gunpowder?

an ingredient in gunpowder is sulphur


How long has gunpowder been in use?

Gunpowder was invented by the Ancient Chinese. Gunpowder came to Europe in the 1260s.


Where were the barrels of gunpowder stored during the gunpowder plot?

The gunpowder was stored in places like the Tower of London.


Inventor of gunpowder?

Chinese alchemists invented gunpowder.


Did the Romans use gunpowder?

Ancient Romans did not use gunpowder. Gunpowder was invented by China around the middle ages.


Where you can find gunpowder?

Go to the Great Walls, and to the very right. There's the gunpowder.


What happened to the inventor of gunpowder?

The Chinese inventor of gunpowder died.