Post by Admin on Oct 14, 2023 1:29:00 GMT
I sat in the woods, starting around 5pm & waited for the sun to go down, which it did around 7pm here. I didn't see any Animal Species, but I observed the Forest. As a child, my grandfather and I walked through this very same Forest with buckets in our hands to pick Blackberries on the abandoned farm that was at the edge and end of the Forest. As a child, I remember this Forest as being an old growth Forest. However, now, I realize it is more likely a medium aged Forest. Still, many fairly large Trees exist that are fascinating to look at/observe.
About a half hour before Sunset, I started gathering fallen branches & twigs - preparing to make a fire. I carry a cypher hose with me, so I can cypher a small amount of gasoline out of my motorcycle tank and onto the branches/twigs - it's a hell of a way to start a fire. Then I move my motorcycle away from it and dip one skinny twig in my gas tank, light it, and start the Fire.
Dark fell on me & I sat mesmerized by the Fire - Fire's are so fascinating to just sit and watch, especially when it's dark.
The Chemistry of a Fire is interesting. From the internet: "Fire's basic combustion equation is: fuel + oxygen —> carbon dioxide + water, a line many of us had drummed into us by school teachers. However, combustion reactions do not proceed directly from oxygen to carbon dioxide."
So, we have: Fuel + Oxygen --> Carbon Dioxide + Water.
The main fuel in a Wood fire, is of course Wood (not the gasoline, which was only an igniter). I do find it interesting that the result in the equation has Water in it - something so hot is yielding Water (which likely most of it turns to Steam and ends up in the Atmosphere). It does make sense though, as living Species, like Wood, and like all living Species are comprised mostly of Water. So, it's no surprise that Water is released.
Michael Piziak, B.S., M.A.