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From: barry@ames-lm.UUCP (Kenn Barry)
Newsgroups: net.misc,net.followup
Subject: Re: Firewalking
Message-ID: <396@ames-lm.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 9-Jul-84 23:58:44 EDT
Article-I.D.: ames-lm.396
Posted: Mon Jul  9 23:58:44 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 11-Jul-84 00:32:45 EDT
References: <352@vortex.UUCP>
Organization: NASA-Ames Research Center, Mtn. View, CA
Lines: 33

[]
> In all demonstrations of firewalking that I've seen, there is a bed
> of wet grass or moss around the coals.  At least one researcher has
> claimed that the film of moisture on the feet that is obtained when
> standing on the grass (before the walk) is the real reason that
> no burning occurs for most people.  To demonstrate, he did the
> firewalk himself, without any "psychological preparation" of the
> sort promoted by the firewalking fans.

	We may have seen the same guy. The one I saw was a physics teacher
who liked to put a little showmanship into his act. In addition to firewalking,
he took a gulp of liquid nitrogen (without swallowing) and exhaled the
vapors, and also put his (wet) hand in a beaker of molten lead!
	All these dramatic acts demonstrate the same physical principle,
though I don't recall the name; 'twas named after the guy who first discovered
it, though (help, please, physicists?). The basic idea is that the water
or liquid nitrogen, when put next to something *far* hotter than it is,
flash-vaporizes so quickly that a protecting layer of vapor stands between
the skin or tongue and the offending substance. There is an easy kitchen
demonstration of the effect that involves no risk to life and limb. Put
an empty skillet on the stove and heat it good and hot; then sprinkle
a few drops of water in it. The drops will skate around the pan on their
vapor cushion, and will boil away much more slowly than if the skillet
were only moderately hot.
	I would *not* recommend any of the more dramatic demonstrations
mentioned above.

 - From the Crow's Nest -                       Kenn Barry
                                                NASA-Ames Research Center
                                                Moffett Field, CA
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