I powder emnyama iyakwazi ukuvutha ngokukodwa kwi-vacuum, ngaphandle kwe-oksijini ye-atmospheric.
Utyebile kwi-nitrate ye-potassium, ukubola kwayo kukhulula ioksijini, ethi ke isebenze ngamandla kunye namalahle afakwe ngaphakathi kunye nesalfure. Oku kusabela kunamandla kuvelisa ubushushu obubonakalayo, igesi yenitrogen, kunye necarbon dioxide, ebonisa iimpawu ezinamandla zepowder exothermic.