Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: paul.fr on 05/05/2007 08:07:56

Title: smoke alarms and soap
Post by: paul.fr on 05/05/2007 08:07:56

ok, whilst melting soap in my microwave this morning my smoke alarms went off. i have no problem with that. what did suprise me was that no matter how hard i tried i could not get the alarm to shut up!

i stood there like a lemon, wafting my door, but no it still wanted to wake all the neighbours up. normally when i burn food, quite often, i can waft the door and hay presto the alarm stops.

what is it about soap that made that alarm just sound and sound....a good five minutes.

Title: smoke alarms and soap
Post by: another_someone on 05/05/2007 09:01:02

I can only imagine that you had managed to evaporate some rather large molecules that had resolidified within the smoke alarm, so would not drift away.  Ofcourse, what those large molecules might be doing when they get inside your lungs is another question.