Chapter 1: The Origins of Heat

Ever pondered the source of fire?

Take a look at the painting above, showcasing Coalbrookedale in Shropshire, UK—my hometown. What catches your eye?

"Uh, fire and light?"

Precisely!

Coalbrookedale is often celebrated by historians as the cradle of the Industrial Revolution. This location was pivotal in the introduction of coke, a byproduct of coal, in blast furnaces, allowing for the mass production of affordable iron. This innovation set the stage for the modern world we inhabit today.

However, to produce coke, a substantial amount of coal is required. In Coalbrookedale, coal was so abundant that it was nearly cascading down the valley.

Coal is essentially fossilized trees.

The process begins with carbon dioxide being absorbed from the atmosphere by sunlight, which is then stored as carbohydrates during photosynthesis. In trees, this carbohydrate manifests as wood.

The reaction can be summarized as:

Carbon Dioxide + Water — — SUN— — → Wood + Oxygen

When the trees die, they become buried, and through heat and pressure, they eventually transform into coal—a process that took place in the vast forests 300 million years ago.

Burning coal reverses the photosynthesis reaction:

Wood (now coal) + Oxygen — — — → Carbon Dioxide + Water + HEAT

Take another look at that painting. The warmth and illumination from the fire represent sunlight that shone on those ancient trees millions of years ago.

Chapter 1.1: A Personal Anecdote

My grandfather once shared this revelation during a bonfire on November 5th.

If you're familiar with British traditions, you know that this night involves burning effigies of Guy Fawkes, who infamously attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605.

As we gazed at the flames, he remarked that the light emanating from the logs was sunlight from over two centuries ago.

"I beg your pardon?" I replied, unsure if the spiced wine had gotten to him.

He explained that the logs were from an oak tree that had fallen in a neighbor's field, dating back at least 200 years. Therefore, the sunlight that illuminated that oak tree long ago was now shining on us.

"When you burn a log," he said while sipping his gin, "you’re witnessing ancient sunlight."

This principle extends to the light bulbs in our homes. The coal, gas, or oil burned in power plants to generate electricity is merely old sunlight being released into our living spaces.

However, there lies a significant issue:

Wood (coal/gas/oil) + Oxygen — — — → Carbon Dioxide + Water + HEAT

This process frees carbon, previously buried, back into the atmosphere as CO2.

So, how do we address this? Should we dismantle the oil and gas industries, akin to Guy Fawkes' plot against the monarchy?

It's a possibility, as we must eventually transition from relying on Old Sun to harnessing New Sun. This shift can be represented as:

SUN — — — → HEAT + LIGHT

With solutions like this on the horizon.

If we fail to make this transition, we risk facing dire consequences.

Chapter 2: The Future of Energy

This video titled "The Sun's Heat Powers These 5 Fun Science Experiments! STEM" demonstrates engaging experiments that utilize solar energy, showcasing its potential as a sustainable resource.

In "HEAT YOUR HOME FOR FREE‼️ SOLAR WOOD," you'll discover creative ways to heat your home using solar energy, emphasizing innovative solutions for modern energy challenges.

JUST A THOUGHT

Thanks for reading. For more intriguing insights, stay tuned.