A fire pit dug deep into the earth would do what? lose heat relatively quickly after the fire is out retain heat well after the fire is out require more wood to light the fire

A fire pit dug deep into the earth would retain heat well after the fire is out. This is because the soil surrounding the fire pit acts as an insulator, trapping the heat within the pit. Insulators are materials that slow down the transfer of heat. Also, the ground naturally has a stable temperature, which can help contain the warmth for a longer period after the fire has been extinguished. The depth of the pit means there's more mass of earth around the fire, which absorbs the heat and then releases it slowly over time, maintaining warmth around that area.

Extra: When discussing how a fire pit retains heat, it's helpful to understand basic concepts of heat transfer and insulation. There are three main types of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation. When dealing with a fire pit:

1. Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact. The ground directly touching the fire becomes warm due to conduction.

2. Convection is the process of heat transfer through fluids (gases and liquids). As hot air rises from the fire, cooler air is drawn towards the fire, becomes heated, and the cycle continues.

3. Radiation is heat transfer without the need for a medium, like the heat you feel from the sun on your skin.

An insulator, like the earth around a fire pit, reduces heat transfer due to its poor conductivity. So, after a fire burns out, the heat retained within an insulated environment (like a deep fire pit) will dissipate more slowly than it would in a less insulated or exposed environment. Regarding the claim about needing more wood to light the fire because the pit is deep, it's not necessarily the depth that requires more wood but the efficiency of the airflow and the kind of wood used. A well-ventilated fire with dry, quality kindling and fuel wood should light relatively easily, regardless of depth. However, if a pit is too deep, it could potentially limit the oxygen flow, and thus, more effort would be needed to encourage a fire to start and sustain.