10 Gunpowder 火药

Gunpowder — An explosive Chinese invention

Gunpowder, huo yao, is another ancient Chinese invention.

It was invented by accident.

More than 1,000 years ago, people experimenting in a pharmacy made the discovery.

They found that if sulphur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate were mixed together with a certain proportion, the mixture would explode.

Gunpowder changed the style of wars.

The steel age ended and gunpowder-based weapons are now widely used.

More than 600 years ago, primitive guns were used in China.

Cannonballs were propelled by the thrust of the explosion.

Now, gunpowder is also widely used in fireworks.

The splendid fireworks at the Beijing Olympic Games garnered wide acclaim and admiration from the audience.