(单词翻译:单击)
Gunpowder (huo yao) is another ancient Chinese invention.
火药是中国的一项古老发明。
It was invented by accident.
它的发明很偶然。
More than 1,000 years ago, people experimenting in a pharmacy made the discovery.
1000 多年前，人们在尝试制造各种药物的过程中，
They found that if sulphur, charcoal and potassium nitrate were mixed together with a certain proportion, the mixture would explode.
偶然发现将硫磺、木 炭、硝石以一定的比例混合，便生产出火药。
Gunpowder changed the style of wars.
火药使作战方式发生变革，
The steel age ended and gunpowder-based weapons are now widely used.
从冷兵器开始向火器发展。
More than 600 years ago, primitive guns were used in China.
600 多年前，中国便 有了原始火炮，
Cannon balls were propelled by the thrust of the huo yao explosion.
利用火药燃烧产生的推力发射炮弹。
Now, huo yao is also widely used in fireworks.
今日的火药广泛应用于烟火。
The splendid fireworks at the Beijing Olympic Games garnered wide acclaim and admiration from the audience.
2008 年北京奥运会上，无数绽放在空中的美丽烟火，令人惊叹不已，带给人全新的美感。
