Potassium nitrate also called saltpetre or nitre is a white solid soluble in water formed by fractional crystallisation of sodium nitrate and potassium chloride solutions. It occurs naturally as nitre in rocks in India, South Africa and Brazil. When heated it decomposes to give the nitrite and oxygen. Unlike sodium nitrate it is non-deliquescent. Potassium nitrate is used in gunpowder, fertilisers and in the laboratory preparation of nitric acid.

• Properties of Potassium Nitrate – KNO3

Potassium Nitrate : KNO3

Molecular Weight/ Molar Mass : 101.1032 g/mol

Density : 2.109 g/cm3

Boiling Point : 400 °C

Melting Point : 334 °C

• Potassium Nitrate (KNO3 ) Uses

It is used as a form of fertiliser as it contains all the macronutrients needed for the plants to grow.

It is used as gunpowder in explosives such as bombs, grenades, etc.

Used in the manufacturing and production of cigarettes.

It is used extensively used in the preservation of hides

It has medicinal applications such as a diuretic in medicine

Used in toothpaste to make the teeth less sensitive to pain

Used in the food industry to preserve meat against microbial agents