Edward Elric
Hazard to Self
Posts: 86
Registered: 2-5-2005
Location: : Cloud 9
Member Is Offline
Mood: seraphic
|
|
Greek fire
Let's revisit fire for the nth time.
I've come up with a few ideas about it. And one of my ideas revolves around the fable that "if you add water, it spreads the fire."
So, what could kind of do this?
What if we made a highly ionized solution of water and set it aflame. It burns, right? I can't remember exactly how this process works. I believe that
hydrogen gas evolves.
Anyway, it's an idea...
And what about other possible flammable materials people could have obtained long ago? Perhaps if it were a type of oil or grease that easily spread,
then add water would simply spread the oil, and the fire would go with the spread?
[Edited on 13-10-2009 by Edward Elric]
☣ - Full Metal Alchemist - ☣
|
|
hodges
National Hazard
Posts: 525
Registered: 17-12-2003
Location: Midwest
Member Is Offline
|
|
Water on an oil fire will definitely cause it to spread. It is because oil boils at a higher temperature than water, therefore it can cause water to
flash-boil, producing steam. This steam blows droplets of oil into the air where it can bet more oxygen and burn faster.
When I was in high school, I used to take old motor oil (salvaged from car oil changes) and place about a half inch of it in a square pie plate. Then
I would add maybe 1/8 inch of water, which would sink below the oil. I then would ignite the oil using a paper towel. Once the oil got hot enough,
the water would boil causing the oil to shoot into the air, making large fireballs. Used to do that as part of my pyrotechnic "shows".
Hodges
|
|
entropy51
Gone, but not forgotten
Posts: 1612
Registered: 30-5-2009
Member Is Offline
Mood: Fissile
|
|
Quote: Originally posted by Edward Elric |
And what about other possible flammable materials people could have obtained long ago? Perhaps if it were a type of oil or grease that easily spread,
then add water would simply spread the oil, and the fire would go with the spread?
|
Actually a good question. Have you seen this ?
|
|