Why did they have to put black powder in with a cannon ball?

Answer by  patti (29325)

A cannon ball is a sphere of lead. Unlike a bullet, it doesn't contain any kind of propellant. Black powder/gun powder is highly explosive. It is packed behind the cannon ball. When it explodes, the force pushes the cannon ball, which then become a projectile.

Answer by  sailoryue (853)

the black powder is the gun powder. its what activates the combustion required to jettison the canon ball with precise force. without it the canon ball would not shoot out the cannon.