To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Definition of potassium chlorate
: a crystalline salt KClO3 that is used as an oxidizing agent in matches, fireworks, and explosives
Examples of potassium chlorate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web Magnesium carbonate keeps the environment within the canister from becoming too acidic, which could destabilize the potassium chlorate.
—
Jennifer Leman, Popular Mechanics, "Watch This Hong Kong Protester Instantly Neutralize Tear Gas," 3 Sep. 2019 When ignited, charcoal inside the canister burns, while chemical compounds such as potassium nitrate and potassium chlorate produce oxygen that fuel the fire.
—
Jennifer Leman, Popular Mechanics, "Watch This Hong Kong Protester Instantly Neutralize Tear Gas," 3 Sep. 2019 That white tip of theirs is the potassium chlorate, an easy-to-trigger oxidizing agent, that pumps oxygen into the reaction of the red portion, phosphorous, and allows it to burn the sulfur as fuel.
—
Sam Eifling, Popular Mechanics, "How To Light a Match With Nothing But Other Matches," 28 Apr. 2016 It was packed in a foot-long mailing tube and filled with flash powder, a low-grade explosive that Mr. Kingsley made with aluminum powder and potassium chlorate.
—
Ashley Southall, New York Times, "Brooklyn Man Arrested in Fatal Bombing That Police Say Missed Its Target," 28 Feb. 2018
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'potassium chlorate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on potassium chlorate
What made you want to look up potassium chlorate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
May 2020 Words of the Day Quiz
- Which is a synonym of exiguous?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Share potassium chlorate
Time Traveler for potassium chlorate
The first known use of potassium chlorate was in 1866
See more words from the same year