What does gunpowder consist of?

Answer

Dear Dieter,

Gunpowder is one of the most important inventions ever. In the 10th century, the Chinese discovered the right chemistry between sulphur, charcoal and saltpetre to make a flaming weaponry.
The standard formulation for gunpowder is: 75 parts potassium nitrate, 15 parts charcoal, and 10 parts sulfur. The proportions are sometimes adjusted depending on the application. The charcoal used also has a major impact on the quality of the final gunpowder.

More information can be found at http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buskruit

Regards,
Els Smeyers