Sadly.... today in MASTERS there was no sun!!! That means Ms. Betts' magnifying glass group was out of luck and could not do their amazing paper burning experiments!!
However, we had an interesting time trying to ignite paper using a halogen lamp. Though no paper actually burned, we discovered that we need a more powerful bulb (at least 100 watts), and a clear casing (not a diffused surface). I guess its back to the drawing board!
Students were encouraged to wait for some sun, and try the experiments again.
Even though the sun abandoned us, we had fun watching a really cool video on "Archimedes' Death Ray." History tells us that during the Punic wars, a famous scientist (Archimedes) used a giant mirror to burn holes in the attacking Roman ships. Many historians think this story is a myth, that it couldn't really happen. But, some professors and students at MIT decided to find out.
Click on the link below to watch a video demonstration of their experiments with "Archimedes' Death Ray." Feel free to post your comments about the video in response to this entry!
http://web.mit.edu/2.009/www//experiments/deathray/10_archimedesMovies/dailyPlanetMedium.mov
Maybe you can answer the question... is Archimedes' Death Ray-- fact? or fiction?
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7 comments:
FACT
I have used a magnified glass to burn through paper. I have not stopped at any color. I burned a hole through white paper! It took just as long as all the other papers. Which was a little less than a minute.
Fact. After watching this video i think it is possible. Even though it might have been harder because of water and movement the evidence that it is techanicly possible is strong overpowers the not-so-sureness. If MASTERS can do it, so can the Greeks!
I thought it was a good video. I would have never guessed you could burn a ship with a mirror!
Fact. Burning ships with mirrors? Whoa!!!!
FACT!
After watching the movie, I know that it is possible that a ship could be burned with a giant movabel mirror, though I can tell why people thought it was fake. I tried using two hand mirrors to burn through a piece of paper in between, but Sam was right. There woul have to be two suns to burn the paper. Pity, I was so convinced it would work. I was able to get a small burn though, in jet black paper with my awsom vintage magnifying glass, but it was more of a scortch mar than a burn. Tought luck, maybe I'll have better next time.
FACT!
After watching the movie, I know that it is possible that a ship could be burned with a giant movabel mirror, though I can tell why people thought it was fake. I tried using two hand mirrors to burn through a piece of paper in between, but Sam was right. There woul have to be two suns to burn the paper. Pity, I was so convinced it would work. I was able to get a small burn though, in jet black paper with my awsom vintage magnifying glass, but it was more of a scortch mar than a burn. Tought luck, maybe I'll have better next time.
Thanks for writing this.
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