Charcoal and Ardent Spirits in Early Chemistry
Charcoal is highly reactive with oxygen forming carbonic acid gas and restoring metals to their metallic state. It comes from plant and animal sources as well as fossils and remains stable when kept cold and sealed. Gun powder explosions rely on charcoal. Ardent spirits arise from distillation of fermentable vegetable substances and fermentation can produce alcohol from saccharine matter. fermentation also alters density and miscibility with water.