Activated charcoal is a form of charcoal that is specially treated to form special multi-surface areas. Technically, any form of carbon can be used to produce activated carbon products, but charcoal is the most commonly used form. Activated carbon has many uses, including water filtration and poisoning treatment.
Heat is the most common way to produce activated carbon. Heating causes the gas inside to escape, leaving only porous and light material. When viewed under a magnifying glass, activated carbon looks like a pile of crumpled fabric, twisted together to form many surfaces. It's these large surfaces that give activated charcoal its many uses.
Activated carbon adsorbs substances, which means certain materials stick to it to form a film. Obviously, the more surfaces you have, the more stuff you can stick to. In addition to very small particles or grains, many substances can be adsorbed by activated carbon.
