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Nitre is an obsolete name foe some nitrates. Nitreis a word derived from the Greek language nitron (a term used in the past for sodium carbonate or the potassium nitrate). But also nitron is very probably borrowed from the old Egyptian netjeri.

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14y ago
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6mo ago

Potassium nitrate is also called nitre because historically, it was derived from deposits of potassium nitrate salt found in caves. These natural deposits of potassium nitrate were known as nitre beds or nitre caves. The term "nitre" is still used today to refer to potassium nitrate in some contexts.

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Q: Why is potassium nitrate also called nitre?
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What is another name for saltpetre?

The mineral nitre (niter) is a source of saltpetre (saltpeter), both being potassium nitrate.Saltpetre has sometimes been called "Chinese salt" or "Chinese snow" but its chemical name is potassium nitrate. It is used as a preservative, in fertilizer, and is also a primary ingredient in gunpowder.


What is the formula for nitraite?

Nitre is another name for potassium nitrate. It is also known as saltpeter in most English speaking countries, and has the chemical formula of KNO3.


Where did nitrogen get its name?

The name "nitrogen" comes from two Latin words meaning "nitre-forming", nitre being potassium nitrate (saltpetre). Daniel Rutherford, the Scottish doctor who discovered nitrogen in 1772, dubbed it "noxious air" or "fixed air".The chemist Lavoisier called it azote, from the Greek for "lifeless", because nitrogen seemed inert. This name can still be seen in some modern names of compounds, such as hydrazine. Also, it can be called "burnt air" meaning "air without oxygen".It came from the term nitre, an alternative name for saltpeter (potassium nitrate).nitrogen=nitre+gen=nitre maker


What does potassium nitrate do in fireworks?

well potassium nitrate helps make the fire stronger for when it is lit and it also makes the firework work for example if its a rocket potassium nitrate would use its power to make the firework go up without potassium nitrate fireworks would be a flop!any other questions then my help will always be availableoh gushy gloom i nearly forgot you don't know who i am do you...well i am .....Queen Lizabeth


How do you get potassium nitrate?

Potassium nitrate or Saltpeter may be used in the salting (pickling of meet foods) but may also be used to make up the critical oxidizing component of gun powder. As such many governments have restriced its public sale due to terrorist threats and it is unlikey to be freely available in our modern world.

Related questions

Common name for potassium nitrate?

nitre, saltpeter(KNO3), Chile saltpeter(NaNO3)


What kind of salt is used in making fire works?

Salt Petre, also called Nitre, or Potassium Nitrate.


What is niter?

Niter (also "nitre") is any one of various minerals, including potassium nitrate, potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, and sodium nitrate.


What is another name for saltpetre?

The mineral nitre (niter) is a source of saltpetre (saltpeter), both being potassium nitrate.Saltpetre has sometimes been called "Chinese salt" or "Chinese snow" but its chemical name is potassium nitrate. It is used as a preservative, in fertilizer, and is also a primary ingredient in gunpowder.


Is potassium nitrate a compound or an element?

Potassium nitrate is a compound. Its formula is KNO3.


Where can one get potassium nitrate?

Potassium Nitrate is also known as Chile Saltpetre. There are big deposits in Chile.


What is the formula for nitraite?

Nitre is another name for potassium nitrate. It is also known as saltpeter in most English speaking countries, and has the chemical formula of KNO3.


Can potassium nitrate cause diarrhea?

Yes potassium nitrate may cause diarrhea. Potassium nitrate may also cause nausea and vomiting as it can aggravate the gastro-intestinal tract.


What is the difference between potassium chloride and potassium nitrate?

The difference between potassium nitrate and potassium sulphate is that the potassium nitrate is superior to potassium sulphate. The potassium nitrate has high solubility while the potassium sulphate has moderate solubility.


What is the ionic name of kno4?

KNO2 is also known as potassium nitrite. It is composed of a potassium cation, and a nitrite anion ion. This compound should not be confused with KNO3, potassium nitrate.


What chemical compound is more commonly called salpeter?

The word saltpeter is also used to refer to nitrogen- containing compounds. For instance sodium nitrate is also called Chile saltpeter and potassium nitrate as Chinese salt.


Is Potassium nitrate a solid?

Corrected answer:NO,MOST of the potassium salts and ALL of the nitrates are SOLUBLE, not insoluble!!!So potassium nitrate is NOT INsolubleSome potassium salts and complexes are insoluble like Potassium Hexanitritocobaltate(III) = K3[Co(NO2)6] , etc.