Animation shows the curiosities about the creation of gunpowder [video]

Did you know that gunpowder was created by the Chinese as they sought the formula for immortality? This and many other curiosities about gunpowder are brought together in the animation created by TED Ed entitled "The Deadly Irony of Gunpowder, " which can be freely translated as "The Deadly Irony of Gunpowder."

With information from educator Eric Rosado and animation by Dinos Hadjidemetri and Maria Savva, the video shows the curious story of the substance that can create beautiful fireworks and at the same time give rise to weapons that have already helped to destroy civilizations. Since the video still has no subtitles available, we've summarized the content below so you can stay on top of gunpowder history.

The invention of gunpowder

Although gunpowder is a key ingredient in creating the amazing fireworks, the substance was not always related to the celebrations. Originally dating from the mid-19th century, gunpowder was discovered by Chinese alchemists who were curiously trying to create a formula for immortality.

The problem is that instead of guaranteeing eternal life, they created a highly flammable substance that even burned many of their homes. The alchemists soon discovered that gunpowder - which they called the "fire medicine" - had nothing to do with eternity.

At this point, they were still unsure what the gunpowder needed to explode, but the army was already using the substance to make rockets. Once they discovered the secret of the explosions, the material was further used, giving rise to fireworks (which were used to ward off evil spirits) and bombs (which were thrown at Mongolia).

Gunpowder and the wars

After suffering from the attacks from China, the Mongols discovered how to recreate gunpowder and were primarily responsible for making the substance known to the world. With the help of gunpowder, Mongolia conquered territories such as Persia and India.

William de Rubruck, who was a kind of European ambassador to the Mongols, was responsible for bringing gunpowder to Europe around 1254. After that, military engineers and inventors created a wide variety of weapons of destruction, such as bombs, guns. and cannons. From then on, the destructive power of gunpowder can be seen in different parts of the world.

Gunpowder and Fireworks

You may have seen in the cartoons a trail of gunpowder that burns until it reaches a barrel and generates an explosion. But the question is, why doesn't the gunpowder trail explode?

When in contact with fire, the explosive releases energy and gases. While the trail is on fire in an open space, these substances are easily released into the air. But when the gunpowder is stored in a sealed container, energy and gases cannot dissipate as easily and this causes a burst.

Fireworks work from this principle. The released energy is channeled and this is what launches the rocket into the sky. The gunpowder combustion reaction is what causes the rocket to explode and form the beautiful figures we see in the sky.

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Although Chinese alchemists have never found the formula for immortality, they have discovered a substance that has influenced all civilizations and caused countless tragic moments in the history of civilization, but at the same time it can bring us hope whenever we look at the colorful sky. A night of celebration.