Chemistry
Answer
Locally, wood charcoal is prepared by the following steps:
- Logs of wood are piled one above the other with a gap in the centre of the pile.
- The pile is covered with wet clay to prevent the entry of air.
- A few holes are left at the bottom of the pile.
- The wood is set on fire.
- When the fire dies out a greyish-black, brittle, porous solid is left behind which is wood charcoal.
The other substances formed are wood tar, wood gas, pyroligneous acid.