硝しょう石せき

noun

saltpeter; potassium nitrate; niter

Chemical term for potassium nitrate (KNO₃), historically used in gunpowder, fertilizers, and food preservation. The cross-reference to 硝酸カリウム indicates it is the same substance.

See also: 硝酸カリウム

• 硝しょう石せきは火か薬やくの原げん料りょうとして古ふるくから使つかわれてきた。

  Saltpeter has been used since ancient times as an ingredient in gunpowder.

• 硝しょう石せきの化か学がく式しきはKNO₃です。

  The chemical formula of saltpeter is KNO₃.