Will potassium nitrate and petroleum jelly work as a rocket propellant

I saw a post on a online forum that potassium nitrate and petroleum jelly could be mixed to create a rocket propellant. What is the reaction that would take place?




Yes, a bit crude as a rocket propellant, but it works as igniting the petroleum jelly in air leads to the associated thermal decomposition of the potassium nitrate liberating oxygen:



> 
> $\ce{2KNO3 (s) → 2KNO2(s) + O2 (g)}$
> 
> 
> 


where the generated oxygen accelerates the burning.


The petroleum jelly itself is not particularly volatile, so the dangers of an explosion are low.


In general, however, I would recommend exercising considerable care when working with a fuel and oxidizers mix.


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