3. What is the combustible ingredient?
Charcoal.
4. What is the use of the saltpetre?
It furnishes the oxygen necessary to support a rapid combustion, and to change the whole mass into gas.
5. What is the use of sulphur?
It adds consistency to the mixture and intensity to the flame, besides rendering the powder less liable to absorb moisture.
6. On what does the quality of gunpowder depend?
On the intimate mixture and proper proportions and purity of the ingredients.
7. In what does the manufacture of gunpowder consist?
In pulverizing the ingredients, incorporation, compression, granulation, drying, glazing and dusting.