Complete the sentence.
In this chemical reaction, potassium nitrate is a ().
product reactant
This passage describes a chemical reaction. Read the passage. Then, follow the instructions below.
People have used gunpowder as an explosive for hundreds of years. Gunpowder is a mixture of three different substances: potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur. When these substances are burned together, they release a large amount of heat and gas. In the past, gunpowder was used in muskets and cannons, but today, it is mainly used in fireworks.
A chemical change occurs when new substances are formed from existing substances. This process is called a chemical reaction.
In a chemical reaction, one or more substances change into one or more different substances. During the reaction, the atoms of the original substances are rearranged to form other substances.
The original substances in a chemical reaction are called reactants. These substances react, or go through a chemical change.
The substances that are formed in a chemical reaction are called products. These substances are produced by the chemical reaction.
So, in a chemical reaction, reactants go through a chemical change to form products.
Read the underlined text carefully. Look for information about what happens to potassium nitrate in this chemical reaction.
People have used gunpowder as an explosive for hundreds of years. Gunpowder is a mixture of three different substances: potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur. When these substances are burned together, they release a large amount of heat and gas. In the past, gunpowder was used in muskets and cannons, but today, it is mainly used in fireworks.
The underlined text tells you that when potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur combine, a large amount of heat and gas is released. When potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur react, or go through a chemical change, their atoms are rearranged. Because potassium nitrate reacts in this chemical reaction, potassium nitrate is a reactant.