Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: thedoc on 07/08/2012 22:30:01
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Christopher Mogie asked the Naked Scientists:
How can I make a firestarter from easy-to-obtain stuff that everybody could get their hands on?
What do you think?
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Matches. Or a really strong magnifying glass. There you go.
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There's always the ubiquitous clothes dryer lint (http://www.instructables.com/id/Waterproof-Dryer-Lint-Fire-Starter/?ALLSTEPS). There's also the less obvious (but more scientific?) method of a battery plus some steel wool (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eT-buIKUpY) (aka "wire wool" in Britain).
As with anything that's potentially dangerous, adult supervision is required.
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Christopher Mogie asked the Naked Scientists:
How can I make a firestarter from easy-to-obtain stuff that everybody could get their hands on?
What do you think?
Linseed Oil on cotton balls.
Motor oil on certain Chlorine pool tablets.
Sometimes a few drops of water into a tub of pool chlorine tablets will start a fire.
Cane Sugar and Sulfuric Acid (Car battery acid)
I am sure there are more, I just cannot think of them at the moment.
Sincerely,
William McCormick
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Cane Sugar and Sulfuric Acid (Car battery acid)
Sincerely,
William McCormick
You seem to have forgotten the weedkiller.
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You seem to have forgotten the weedkiller.
To use the Prometon to burn?
I am not up on Prometon, does it mix with something violently and ignite?
Sincerely,
William McCormick
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There's more than one weedkiller.
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If you can find flint or pyrite (also known as fool's gold) somewhere, backyard, etc., these can be struck with steel and iron, respectively, to create sparks. I may be back to this topic soon, when I think of more.
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BC if you are referring to sodium chlorate and sugar - it is increasingly difficult to get sodium chlorate in the EU since the ban on sale in 2009. Isn't it typically more explosive than fire starting?
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True, but I was making the point about W McC's "Cane Sugar and Sulfuric Acid (Car battery acid)" suggestion.