soot

(noun)

Fine black or dull brown particles of amorphous carbon and tar, produced by the incomplete combustion of coal, oil, etc.

Related Terms

Examples of soot in the following topics:

  • What's Next?

    • The agency pressed auto-makers and electric utilities to reduce small particles of soot that their operations spewed into the air, and it worked to control water-polluting storm and farm-fertilizer runoffs.

  • The Study of Chemistry

    • How can soot and diamond be so different in appearance yet so chemically similar?

  • Liquid Media

    • Evidence for the earliest Chinese inks, similar to modern inksticks, dates back to around 256 BC; these inks were produced from soot and animal glue.

  • Calligraphy during the Six Dynasties Period

    • The implements of calligraphy included the brush pen made of animal hair and black inks made from pine soot and animal glue.

  • Stabilizing, Directional, and Diversifying Selection

    • As soot began spewing from factories, the trees darkened and the light-colored moths became easier for predatory birds to spot.

  • Sculpture of the Old Kingdom

    • Paints were obtained from minerals such as iron ores (red and yellow ochres), copper ores (blue and green), soot or charcoal (black), and limestone (white).

  • Introduction to Understanding Waste

    • Girls covered their heads with scarves so that soot would not get in their hair on the way to school.

  • The Inventions of the Telephone and Electricity

    • The light was much brighter than oil or gas lamps, and there was no soot.