Question

To make gunpowder, carbon, sulphur and potassium nitrate are to be mixed in the ratio 3 : 2 : 1. To make 1.2 kilograms of gunpowder, how much of each is needed?

Answer 1

Ratio of carbon, sulphur and potassium nitrate required to make gunpowder = 3:2:1

Mass of the gunpowder to be made = 1.2 kg = 1200 g (1 kg = 1000 g)

Sum of the ratios = 3 + 2 + 1 = 6

Mass of carbon in gunpowder =

Mass of sulphur in gunpowder =

Mass of potassium nitrate =

Thus, 600 g of carbon, 400 g of sulphur and 200 g of potassium nitrate is needed to make the required amount of gunpowder.