potassium nitrate

n. A white or colorless crystalline compound, KNO₃, used to pickle meat and in the manufacture of pyrotechnics, explosives, matches, rocket propellants, and fertilizers. Also called niter, saltpeter.

potassium nitrate

n (Elements & Compounds) a colourless or white crystalline compound used in gunpowders, pyrotechnics, fertilizers, and as a preservative for foods, esp as a curing salt for ham, sausages, etc (E252). Formula: KNO3. Also called: saltpetre or nitre

potas′sium ni′trate

n. a crystalline compound, KNO₃, produced by nitrification in soil, and used in gunpowders, fertilizers, and preservatives; saltpeter; niter. [1880–85]

potassium nitrate

A transparent, white, crystalline compound and strong oxidizing agent, KNO₃. It is used in gunpowder and fireworks, in making glass, and in fertilizer. Also called saltpeter. See also niter.

Thesaurus

Noun

potassium nitrate - (KNO3) used especially as a fertilizer and explosiveniter, nitre, saltpeter, saltpetrefertiliser, fertilizer, plant food - any substance such as manure or a mixture of nitrates used to make soil more fertilenitrate - any compound containing the nitrate group (such as a salt or ester of nitric acid)

Translations

potassium nitrate

potassium nitrate,

chemical compound, KNO₃, occurring as colorless, prismatic crystals or as a white powder; it is found pure in nature as the mineral saltpeter, or niter. (The name saltpeter is also applied to sodium nitratesodium nitrate,
chemical compound, NaNO₃, a colorless, odorless crystalline compound that closely resembles potassium nitrate (saltpeter or niter) in appearance and chemical properties. It is soluble in water, alcohol, and liquid ammonia.
..... Click the link for more information. , although less frequently.) It is slightly soluble in cold water and very soluble in hot water. Potassium nitrate is prepared commercially by the reaction of potassium chloride with sodium nitrate. When potassium nitrate decomposes (on heating) it releases oxygen; it has been used extensively as the oxygen-supplying component of gunpowder since about the 12th cent. It is also used in explosives, fireworks, model rocket propellants, matches, and fertilizers, as a preservative in foods (especially meats), and in the manufacture of nitric acid and of glass.

Potassium Nitrate

a salt; colorless crystals. Density, 2.11 g/cm³; melting point, 339°C. Readily soluble in water (31 g in 100 g H₂O at 20°C; 246 g at 100°C).

Mixtures of potassium nitrate and organic substances are easily flammable and burn vigorously. Potassium nitrate is prepared by reacting HNO3 or nitrous gases with K₂C0₃ or KC1. Potassium nitrate is used as a fertilizer, in glassmaking, and in the production of gunpowder.

In agriculture, potassium nitrate containing 44 percent K₂O and 13 percent nitrogen is used as a base fertilizer (applied in the spring) and as a top-dressing for chlorine-sensitive crops (flax, potatoes, tobacco, grapes).

potassium nitrate

[pə′tas·ē·əm ′nī‚trāt] (inorganic chemistry) KNO₃ Flammable, water-soluble, white crystals with saline taste; melts at 337°C; used in pyrotechnics, explosives, and matches, as a fertilizer, and as an analytical reagent. Also known as niter.

potassium nitrate

a colourless or white crystalline compound used in gunpowders, pyrotechnics, fertilizers, and as a preservative for foods, esp as a curing salt for ham, sausages, etc. (E252). Formula: KNO₃

potassium nitrate

potassium nitrate

potassium nitrate

potas′sium ni′trate

potassium nitrate

potassium nitrate

potassium nitrate,

Potassium Nitrate

potassium nitrate

potassium nitrate

potassium nitrate

po·tas·si·um ni·trate

potassium nitrate

Synonyms for potassium nitrate

noun (KNO3) used especially as a fertilizer and explosive

Synonyms

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