Actually, it doesn't explode, it just burns quickly in a smoky flash. Now if it's COMPRESSED, or otherwise packed into a confined space, then it EXPLODES.
Traditional gunpowder is a mixture of very finely ground wood ash (hickory is considered best for its porosity) and a nitrate substance, such as saltpeter. This mixture is extremely flammable, and explosive if compressed.
Answer:
Interestingly gunpowder is classed as a low explosive because it deflagrates (burns very quickly) rather than detonates (explodes at hypersonic speeds) this is in part due to the fact that its prime components sulfur, nitrate (originally harvested as KNO3 from under dung heaps) and carbon (charcoal) burn at etatic rates and forming many compounds. There are ways around this (somewhat) but in general the equations around the decomposition of gunpowder's constituents is:
10 KNO3 + 3 S + 8 C → 2 K2CO3 + 3 K2SO4 + 6 CO2 + 5 N2
Examining this equation shows that there are a significant amount of gaseous byproducts, It is this that gives gunpowder it "explosive" nature.
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