black powder is an explosive mixture, it exist as a chemical mixture,
molecular compounds & elements. To use black powder in a gun requirers ignition (additional heat) to produce the spontaneous combustion.
The delta (^H) or change in heat content is positive or exothermal reaction, yet it doesn't happen spontaneously.
Energy added to start chemical process is generally form related & transitional phase in breaking former bonds and forming new bonds.
quote:
Absolute Zero Kelvin
http://www.captaincynic.com/thread.php3/thrdid=20300-u-page=0#22393 The environment generally supplies the energy of activiation.
As photographic (negatives) images form when salts of silver chloride & bromide react to light & then are treated with solutions (chemical procees) reduced to form metallic silver.