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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: epion2985 on September 12, 2004, 11:12:24 PM

Title: chemical confusion question
Post by: epion2985 on September 12, 2004, 11:12:24 PM
I just need help identifing the difference between potasium nitrate and sodium nitrate and saltpeter. Are they all the same or different. This online definition of sodium nitrate confused me even further.

http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/sci/A0845795.html

Example:

"sodium nitrate...closely resembles potassium nitrate (saltpeter or niter)..."

-ok so saltpeter is potassium nitrate!

reading on

"Sodium nitrate is also called soda niter or Chile saltpeter"

-ok so saltpeter is sodium nitrate?

so is saltpeter potassium nitrate or sodium nitrate???


thanks!!
Title: Re:chemical confusion question
Post by: Demotivator on September 12, 2004, 11:27:03 PM
saltpeter is just potassium nitrate.
If it's "Chile saltpeter" it's sodium nitrate.
Title: Re:chemical confusion question
Post by: epion2985 on September 13, 2004, 12:33:50 AM
so saltpeter and chile saltpeter are totaly different chemicals?
Title: Re:chemical confusion question
Post by: Donaldson Tan on September 13, 2004, 12:41:35 AM
yes