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  4. Matchstick physics and central european myths
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Matchstick physics and central european myths

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Offline MSML_Marty (OP)

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Matchstick physics and central european myths
« on: 09/08/2019 21:31:24 »
Hello
Here in central Europe is one myth. When somebody cursed you and you throw burned matches into the water, how many will fall to bottom, so many people have cursed you. I saw this happen once. Then, I tried it by myself and none fell, all stayed on the water surface. Is there an scientific explanation for this?
Thanks for all answers
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Offline alancalverd

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Re: Matchstick physics and central european myths
« Reply #1 on: 09/08/2019 23:35:30 »
Two possible explanations

1. Matches are made of dry wood, which floats. Some are waxed, so they never sink.

2. Nobody had cursed you.

If you let the match burn completely, you may end up with a carbon residue that might eventually sink, especially if you add a bit of soap to the water. Or you could use  vodka or petrol, in which case more of the matches will sink. 
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Offline MSML_Marty (OP)

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Re: Matchstick physics and central european myths
« Reply #2 on: 10/08/2019 15:25:56 »
In the glass there was only pure water, no soap or vodka and match was burned just as the picture shows.
PS: I don’t believe in curses and myths.

* 112418_water_feat_free.jpg (27.91 kB, 860x460 - viewed 42 times.)
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Offline Halc

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Re: Matchstick physics and central european myths
« Reply #3 on: 10/08/2019 16:03:39 »
Quote from: MSML_Marty on 10/08/2019 15:25:56
In the glass there was only pure water, no soap or vodka and match was burned just as the picture shows.
The picture shows a black blob and a yellow rectangle crudely drawn on a CG image of a glass of water.
Surely you don't think that is a photo of a match.  They didn't even bother to photo-shop it.  Looks like they used MS-paint.
« Last Edit: 10/08/2019 16:06:02 by Halc »
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Offline MSML_Marty (OP)

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Re: Matchstick physics and central european myths
« Reply #4 on: 10/08/2019 16:45:53 »
Yes, it is MS Paint. I drew it just for showing how it looked like. I did not believed this too. But when i saw it, i came here for finding scientific answer for that.
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Re: Matchstick physics and central european myths
« Reply #5 on: 10/08/2019 17:10:18 »
Quote from: MSML_Marty on 10/08/2019 16:45:53
Yes, it is MS Paint. I drew it just for showing how it looked like. I did not believed this too. But when i saw it, i came here for finding scientific answer for that.
OK, I thought the picture was evidence, not just explanation.  It seems that whoever presented the thing was a con man with special matches with a weighted end that could drag a piece of wood down with it like that.  Perhaps the idea was to sell the service of the removal of the curse.
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Re: Matchstick physics and central european myths
« Reply #6 on: 10/08/2019 20:51:26 »
No, it was my grandma with ordinary matches. Same as you, I do not understand this. I was thinking about vibrations coming from her mouth while she was talking that causes sinking, but I tried, don't worked.
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