Salt peter typically refers to the chemical compound potassium nitrate, though it may also refer to sodium nitrate.
Saltpeter is a common chemical, used for many products and science projects. Here's a look at what exactly saltpeter is. Answer: Saltpeter is the natural mineral source of the chemical potassium nitrate, KNO 3. Depending where you live, it may be spelled 'saltpetre' rather than 'saltpeter'. Before systematic naming of chemicals, saltpeter was called nitrate of potash. It has also been called 'Chinese salt' or 'Chinese snow'. Sodium nitrate, also called salt peter, shares many applications with potassium nitrate. Both can be used to manufacture nitric acid, to propel model rockets, and to increase the shelf life of meats and other foods. Sodium nitrate is also used to manufacture glass and enamel. Salt peter is also used as a fertilizer and as a stump remover, as it accelerates the decomposition process of tree stumps. Salt peter can be found in many everyday products as well. It is used to preserve some foods, most commonly meats, although there are concerns about its health effects. While it is difficult to find saltpeter, you can still purchase potassium nitrate, which is used to make smoke bombs and certain other fireworks, as 'stump remover'. In the United States, you can find it at Lowes or Home Depot, among other places. Salt peter typically refers to the chemical compound potassium nitrate, though it may also refer to sodium nitrate. Salt peter was once collected from decomposing material, but today, it is generally manufactured by treating sodium nitrate, mostly mined in Chile, with potassium chloride and collecting the precipitate. Saltpeter, or potassium nitrate, is an ionic salt added to rocket propellants, fireworks, and fertilizer. In the military, it has been used for centuries as a food additive that suppresses libido. saltpeter. Potassium nitrate (KNO3), a substance used in explosives (usually gunpowder) and fertilizers. Contrary to popular urban legend, saltpeter has no effect on libido, and too many side effects (high fever, etc.) to be used even if it did. The army doesn't want to kill our soldiers with saltpeter.
http://chemistry.about.com/od/moleculecompoundfacts/f/Saltpeter-Or-Potassium-Nitrate.htm http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-salt-peter.htm http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-salt-peter.htm http://chemistry.about.com/b/2014/03/03/where-to-buy-saltpeter-or-potassium-nitrate.htm http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-salt-peter.htm http://www.duffelblog.com/2013/02/military-to-stop-adding-saltpeter-to-chow/ http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=saltpeter
what is saltpeter