What is lycopodium powder used for?
Main uses. Today, the principal use of the powder is to create flashes or flames that are large and impressive but relatively easy to manage safely in magic acts and for cinema and theatrical special effects. Historically it was also used as a photographic flash powder.
Is lycopodium powder toxic?
May cause respiratory tract irritation. Ingestion May be harmful if swallowed. Skin May be harmful if absorbed through skin. May cause skin irritation.
Why are lycopodium spores flammable?
They powered their floating “fire-wind machine” with a mixture of resin, coal dust, and the dried spores of Lycopodium clubmoss. The waxy spores are extremely hydrophobic, or resistant to water. Because they’re 50% fat with lots of surface area, they can be quite flammable, if only briefly.
Why is lycopodium powder sprinkled on water surface?
Lycopodium powder spreads on the entire surface of water when it is sprinkled evenly. The drop pushes the lycopodium powder particles away and creates a circular area where it falls, thus enabling us to measure the area where oleic acid spreads.
How do you use lycopodium powder?
Place a portion of lycopodium powder in the small dish and show that it does not ignite as is using a match. Light a Bunsen burner and raise the dish to the level of the flame. Blow lycopodium powder across the open flame to show ignition upon dispersal of the powder.
Why is lycopodium powder hydrophobic?
Since these spores are only single cells, it also means they are quite light. The reason they are hydrophobic is to keep the powder as light as possible so it can travel by the slightest of breezes.
Why do Lycopodium spores only flame when they are sprayed out rather than sitting on a surface?
Lycopodium powder is a fine yellow powder made from the spores of the lycopodium plant which is a small pine that grows low to the ground. However, when the powder is sprayed through the flame, the powder ignites producing a tremendous flame due to the increased surface area.
Is Lycopodium a fungus?
Lycopodium (Lycopodiaceae, Lycopodiophyta, Plantae) is a genus of flowerless, vascular, terrestrial plants that reproduce sexually via homospores, and vegetatively from rhizomes. Endophytes sensu stricto differ from mycorrhizal fungi by the fact that they reside entirely within plant tissues (Stone et al. 2004).
What is Lycopodium homeopathic?
Background: Lycopodium clavatum (Lyc) is a widely used homeopathic medicine for the liver, urinary and digestive disorders. Recently, acetyl cholinesterase (AchE) inhibitory activity has been found in Lyc alkaloid extract, which could be beneficial in dementia disorder.
Is lycopodium powder soluble in water?
Explanation: Lycopodium powder will not mix with the water because it is hydrophobic or water hating. Actually the water is polar, and the powder is nonpolar. These properties mean that the two substances will not dissolve or mix with each other. Safety Precautions: Lycopdoium powder is a very fine dust.
What is life cycle of lycopodium?
Steps in Life cycle of Lycopodium Antheridium produce sperms. Sperms are multiflagellate. Archegonium produce egg. Fertilization is oogamous. Zygote divides to form Embryonic sporophyte later form mature plant body (Diploid Lycopodium Sporophyte) Image credit: Botany visual resource library, The McGraw Hill companies.
What is Lycopodium used for in dogs?
Lycopodium is a homeopathic remedy for pets with Liver disease – Bowel problems – Kidney and Bladder disease. Lycopodium seems to be particularly appropriate if two or more of the below symptoms are present in the animals case.
What is Lycopodium used for in fireworks?
Lycopodium has been used in fireworks and explosives, fingerprint powders, as well as a covering for pills, and as a ice cream stabilizer. Today, the principal use of the powder is to create flashes or flames that are large and impressive but relatively easy to manage safely in magic acts, for cinema and theatrical special effects.
What does Lycopodium look like?
The Lycopodium patient is FLATULENT, distended like a drum, so that he can hardly breathe. The diaphragm is pushed upwards, infringing upon the lung and heart space, so that he has palpitation, faintness and dyspnoea.
Does Lycopodium work for anxiety?
Lycopodium’s Personality Profile: Lycopodium works well as a homeopathic remedy for those who have great anxiety in their lives. They lack confidence though they come across as arrogant or overly sarcastic. They have a great fear of being left alone and their emotional symptoms often manifest into physical ones.