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Richard Feynman Fire

nebulajr · interview · Watch on YouTube

Everyday physics & science demosScientific method & science communicationChemistry

What it is

A short clip from a Richard Feynman interview in which he explains fire, describing how burning wood releases sunlight stored by the tree, which built itself mostly from air. It showcases his curiosity and plain-spoken explanations.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN repeatedly cites it as an elegant, eye-opening explanation of fire and photosynthesis and as an example of Feynman's infectious love of knowledge.

  • 8 people recommended it
  • 8 different months
  • 4 strong recommendations
  • first 2010, last 2023

What HN commenters said

  1. “it's impossible to stay in any kind of negative mood if you watch Feynman”

    Feynman on fire and trees; his love of knowledge is infectious.

    drats, 2010-07 · Strong recommendation · in “The truth about cold water”

  2. “Richard Feynman explains it wonderfully”

    Feynman explains fire and trees wonderfully and elegantly.

    halfnelson, 2012-06 · Strong recommendation · in “Kids should be building rockets and robots, not taking standardized tests”

  3. “its a really eye opening perspective”

    Fire's light is stored sunlight from the wood.

    haxiomic, 2015-08 · Strong recommendation · in “GravityLight: Generate light with gravity”

  4. “I’m a big fan and believe his crude straight to the point style”

    Feynman's storytelling and genuine curiosity make fire explanation special.

    jrscelza, 2020-07 · Strong recommendation · in “Richard Feynman cut straight to the heart of complex ideas”

  5. “I'm referring to an interview series with him”

    Feynman interview series with elegant explanations.

    okamiueru, 2012-03 · Recommendation · in “What is a flame -- how would you describe it to an 11 year old?”

  6. “I thought this would be a link to a Richard Feynman video where he 'explains' fire.”

    Feynman's explanation of fire.

    janvdberg, 2017-01 · Recommendation · in “What’s a fire, and why does it burn?”

  7. “explain where the energy in the wax came from like Feynman does when explaining fire”

    Feynman explains the sun as the energy source in burning wood.

    js2, 2021-04 · Recommendation · in “Where does a candle go when it burns?”

  8. “Compare a bunch of chemical formulas and equations in this blog with Richard Feynman's explanation of fire”

    Intuitive explanation of fire compared with formula-heavy writeups.

    jiggawatts, 2022-03 · Recommendation · in “What’s a fire and why does it burn? (2016)”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: richard feynman, fire, photosynthesis, science explanation, energy

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