This is a sky lantern:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kongming_lantern
Can you think of a fairly simple way to make something like without using a candle or a flame? Like, something solid or even liquid that generates a lot of heat without burning?
I suck at chemistry, alas :o
For what reason?
For making a flameless sky-lantern!
I mean, er, for the greater good. Down with capitalism :o
So it has to generate light, has to generate enough heat to cause a reasonably sustained lift, but not enough heat to cause combustion of anything it might eventually come into contact with?Quote:
Originally Posted by Aimless
Pretty much! The flying is the important part, for me, but the light would be nice as well. Inspired by my inner fantasy-geek :) otherwise I woulda turned to helium and diodes.
Hmmm I wonder if you could use common substances to create a very simple small hydrogen balloon... :o
There's nothing that suits your requirements. Sorry.
They sell helium balloons.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aimless
Ah, bummer :(Quote:
Originally Posted by Khendraja'aro
Helium is too tricky in a fantasy setting :mad:Quote:
Originally Posted by Illusions
I mean there are plenty of flameless exothermic reactions, Minx, but they all have the problem of also being able to cause fires - they are heating up, after all. You're kinda running into a fundamental problem of thermodynamics here.
Oh yeah I was thinking that I could at least put it inside some sort of enclosure so that only the top would be exposed, but I just realised that I could do the same with a regular flame :bulb: