Question

The Formula of Bengal SaltPetre is:

(A)  $ KN{O_3} $ 

(B)  $ NaN{O_3} $ 

(C)  $ AgN{O_3} $ 

(D) None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Saltpetre also called “Nitre” is a British term used to refer compounds of sodium and potassium combined with nitrogen and oxygen i.e. ‘Nitrates’ salts in particular. Before the structured chemical naming saltpetre was a popularly known nitrate of potash. People also know it by the name of 'Chinese salt' or 'Chinese snow'. These saltpetre exist in three forms: (a) Ordinary Saltpetre (b) Chile Saltpetre (c) Lime Saltpetre.  

Complete step by step answer:

$ KN{O_3} $  is known as Ordinary saltpetre while  $ NaN{O_3} $  is called Chile saltpetre. Lime Saltpetre is   $ Ca{\left( {N{O_3}} \right)_2} $.

- Potassium Nitrate is an ionic salt of potassium ions  $ {K^ + } $  and nitrate ions  $ NO_3^ -  $  , and is alkali metal nitrate rarely found in earth’s crust and caves. 

- Ordinary saltpetre is also known as Bengal Saltpetre because in the mid-nineteenth century saltpetre was collected from sandy areas of Bengal which was an important place of export of saltpetre to European markets. 

- It is a very important crude salt in India. 

- Bengal Salt petre has application in food preparation. 

- It can be used to boil tough meat and beans. Thus, it reduces the time of cooking. 

- The Saltpetre was further used as gunpowder in making explosives. It is also used as Fertilizers.

So, the correct answer is  Option (A).

Note:
$ KN{O_3} $  and  $ NaN{O_3} $  both are nitrate salts of Potassium and sodium and are called Indian Saltpetre. $ NaN{O_3} $  is a deliquescent crystalline solid and is found mainly in Chile hence it is called Chile saltpetre. $ KN{O_3} $  on the other hand is solid that is black in colour and is an important crude salt in India. It can also be called as Indian Saltpetre.