On Fri, 17 Jan 2003, Andrew Lias wrote: > >>From: Steve Simmons <scs at lokkur.dexter.mi.us> >>To: Mark A Mandel <mam at theworld.com> >>CC: Bob <akodobob at sbcglobal.net>, dragaera at dragaera.info >>Subject: Re: Two words about two letters etc. >>Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 14:08:48 -0500 >> >>On Fri, Jan 17, 2003 at 12:22:33PM -0500, Mark A Mandel wrote: >> >> > Saltpeter forms at the bottom of dungheaps, which I think must be in >> > plentiful supply. >> >>A scarcity of sulphur, being elemental, would be a better hindrance. >>Unfortunately some laws of physics would have to be changed for that >>as well. (technogeek handwave) > >Perhaps I'm dense, but why would a scarcity of any given element >require an alteration of physical law? Maybe the Jenoine used it all >up. As someone pointed out, sulfer is required for life as we know it (amino acids). In a way, it would be like saying maybe they used up all the oxygen. Sulfer is also pretty common. "Using it all up" would mean either taking it off the planet (why?) or changing it on a subatomic level to another element (why?). If it were simply bound to other elements chemically, it could be purified by chemical processes. http://www.webelements.com/webelements/elements/text/S/key.html Besides, the stuff that's really required for the "BANG!" of gunpowder is the saltpeter (potassium nitrate). Nitrates are very reactive, but they are also absolutely necessary for life.