>> ^Janus:

>> ^jimnms:
No, but ice does melt enough between my fingers that that it becomes slippery and hard to hold on to.

Robbersdog49 already pointed out the 58°F temperature difference between the melting point of ice (32°F) and the temperature of your hand (90°F).
To put it another way, when the temperature outside is just a few degrees above 32°F and there is ice or snow out, have you noticed how very long it takes to melt?


YEAH!!!!! FOOOD FIIIIIGHT!!!!

>> ^jimnms:

No, but ice does melt enough between my fingers that that it becomes slippery and hard to hold on to.


Robbersdog49 already pointed out the 58°F temperature difference between the melting point of ice (32°F) and the temperature of your hand (90°F).

To put it another way, when the temperature outside is just a few degrees above 32°F and there is ice or snow out, have you noticed how very long it takes to melt?

>> ^robbersdog49:

It probably would do if he held it for long enough. When you pick an ice cube up it doesn't instantly all turn to water does it, and that's with your fingers 58°F warmer than the melting point of water. The the gallium you'd be barely above the melting point, so heat transfer would be a lot slower and it wouldn't melt, particularly if it was straight out of the fridge.


No, but ice does melt enough between my fingers that that it becomes slippery and hard to hold on to.

>> ^jimnms:

It says it melts at 86°F, so why didn't it melt in his hand? I just used an IR thermometer on my fingers and get 90°F.


It probably would do if he held it for long enough. When you pick an ice cube up it doesn't instantly all turn to water does it, and that's with your fingers 58°F warmer than the melting point of water. The the gallium you'd be barely above the melting point, so heat transfer would be a lot slower and it wouldn't melt, particularly if it was straight out of the fridge.

>> ^quantumushroom:

Saw the number "420 Celsius". That's 788 degrees Fahrenheit. Machine is using serious power. I'd lump this in with desalination plants; conversion can be done but at enormous costs.


Actually, that's the melting point of your typical water bong.

>> ^ajkido:
Um. But why was the answer wrong?


I feel this is quite a frequent offence of QI actually, these trick questions that are quite badly phrased. If the question was "at what temperature does water boil" then a correct answer is indeed 100 degrees Celsius (unless you want to go into the decimal points like conan did). The point that Stephen Fry was making was when Anders Celsius invented the scale he graded it in the reverse. That 100 degrees was the melting point and 0 degrees the boiling point. Shortly after his death the scale was then changed by other people to what it is now (100 degrees boiling) and that was what came out as the generally accepted scale and the one that's used today.

Some people might now say "oh but the reversed scale we use today is called the CENTIGRADE, while Celsius is still the one that he invented so if the question was 'at what temperature CELSIUS does water boil' then Stephen Fry would actually be in the right". A question of semantics, in many countries (maybe even most?) including Celsius native Sweden, the current scale is also called the Celsius scale and no name distinction is made between the original and the current version of the scale, and even in countries where a distinction is made Celsius is still the generally accepted name for the current scale among the population.

Then again I guess the show wouldn't be much fun if the obvious answer turned out to be the right one...

Maybe he used Wood's Metal:
It is a fusible alloy with a melting point of approximately 70 °C (158 °F)
Not that you would like to use that metal though:
"Wood's metal is toxic because it contains lead and cadmium, and therefore contact with the bare skin is thought to be harmful, especially in the molten state. Vapour from cadmium-containing alloys is also known to pose a danger to humans. Cadmium poisoning carries the risk of respiratory, liver, kidney, and bone damage, loss of sense of smell, and cancer. Field's metal is its non-toxic alternative."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood%27s_metal

So maybe it was Field's metal then.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field%27s_metal

Otherwise it's maybe the Leidenfrost effect on lead that had just solidified in the spoon. Molten lead reacts (steam)explosively with water I think.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leidenfrost_effect

Can't be real. 9 seconds of exposure and the melting point of lead is 621ºF (327ºC). I don't care what kind of "swishing" or some other method you use to keep it from burning one place -- it's a liquid, and the surface area in contact with your mouth (in comparison to the rather small surface area of unevenly-shaped embers in the firewalking example) is simply too great. 160ºF (71ºC) liquid contact with skin is enough to cause a THIRD DEGREE burn after just ONE SECOND. We are talking almost FOUR TIMES the temperature at NINE TIMES the duration. This is *lies and *magic.

Yeah, I'm going with water bubble. Water is extremely energetic when it changes phase rapidly. Think the old "cup of water in a microwave" explosion or throwing water on to burning oil (eg. http://www.videosift.com/video/Kitchen-Oil-Fire-gone-terribly-wrong). Could be easily avoided by inserting the mold in to the furnace for about 10 seconds an end (if that is indeed the cause)

The cooling outer skin of the aluminium would have resisted the expansion of the steam which is why it took a second or so to pop after they had poured the bulk of the ingot, and why it caused such a big spray.

Both guys are, of course, extremely lucky.

As for putting it out, blowing on it??? Yeah, right. The moron trying to bat out a crucible that is up ended (hence there would be molten Al on the bench burning the bench top) and would be in excess of 660 deg cel, the melting point of Al, with a glove is just icing on the idiot cake at this point. /golfclap

I think artsy CAN be good, but only when it means "original AND good music" rather than just "original music." Just because something's different doesn't mean it's good, which is a sad fact that seems to get overlooked in the pursuit of "art" and "originality." However, if you can get the art and originality and still sound fucking awesome, it's way better than just sounding good by itself, because it has way more impact.

For Japanese music, I'd STRONGLY recommend the pillows, as they're my favorite band ever in general. If you want something a little more indie, I know a lot of pretty sick bands, such as Ling Tosite Sigure/rin toshite shigure/凛として時雨 (lol just for searching convenience) that you could give a try (Ling has AWESOME guitar work, but reaaaaaaaally shrill vocals...it's kind of a tradeoff).

Japan is aight. I love the food, and I've gotten to see some great concerts (four of them, to be precise) while I've been here, but I'm headed back in one week, and am pretty much feeling it's time to do so. I need to get some work in before the semester starts so I have some money lol.

In reply to this comment by RedSky:
Wow you know what, I completely missed the fact you replied to my comment such fail. Hmm, listened to AKFG a while ago and wasn't really a big fan but I'll check out the rest. ... but, but artsy is good no but I agree, they need to bring some of the crazy riffage of old back, although I remember them saying in an interview somewhere around the time they released Vheissu that they felt they go too burnt on heavy music and were trying to stray away from that, or something along those lines.

Also, what's it like living in Japan?



In reply to this comment by JAPR:
the pillows, Asian Kung-fu Generation, Ellegarden, etc. I just saw Ellegarden at Kyouto Taisakusen, it was SO FUCKING GOOD. I'm not sure how to describe it other than I've never been to such an intense concert.

Yeah, I love the acoustic songs! Stare at the Sun acoustic is reallllly tight too. I wish they'd go back to their roots a bit though and stop trying to be artsy with the whole elements theme going on. Nothing good ever comes from being artsy. .____.

In reply to this comment by RedSky:
Which Japanese bands? I'm more or less slowly turning into a weaboo anyway

Yeah, I love Melting Point of Wax, So Strange I Remember You especially as well as virtually anything on Vheissu. I&II was fairly good, thought they captured water brilliantly, Night Diving especially with the way they conveyed dripping water, and the tranquility of deep sea diving. Fire, eh not so much. Could see they were going for a sense of chaos and distortion but just didn't feel like it came together melodically, Flame Deluge was excellent though. Agree Red Sky EP was excellent, especially their acoustic renditions, particularly Of Dust and Nations, really wish they'd do more of them.

In reply to this comment by JAPR:
Yeah, I've heard a few of the songs, but haven't really gotten around to checking it out fully, for some reason. Been too busy with new releases from my favorite Japanese bands, I guess. I thought Alchemy Index vols. I and II was pretty solid, with some tight songs, but definitely not quite up to par with the other stuff. Still, "not up to par with the other stuff" still translates to "pretty damn good," so I can't really complain too much in that department.

I wish they had a music video for T&C, A Torch to End All Torches, Melting Point of Wax, or So Strange I Remember you, because it's always hard to find truly good live videos of songs like that. I was very surprised to see them release Red Sky on that EP thing, but totally dug the coupling tracks.

In reply to this comment by RedSky:
Heh, yeah it was a bit of a giveaway before, now it's more subtle

Reminds me, I still gotta sift that song too Pity that they never released their better songs as singles though.

Sample the album on their myspace if you want, it's not anything groundbreaking by all means but still a solid album all around. Not nearly as good as Vheissu but still, have to give them props for branching out and experimenting with different styles.

Wow you know what, I completely missed the fact you replied to my comment such fail. Hmm, listened to AKFG a while ago and wasn't really a big fan but I'll check out the rest. ... but, but artsy is good no but I agree, they need to bring some of the crazy riffage of old back, although I remember them saying in an interview somewhere around the time they released Vheissu that they felt they go too burnt on heavy music and were trying to stray away from that, or something along those lines.

Also, what's it like living in Japan?



In reply to this comment by JAPR:
the pillows, Asian Kung-fu Generation, Ellegarden, etc. I just saw Ellegarden at Kyouto Taisakusen, it was SO FUCKING GOOD. I'm not sure how to describe it other than I've never been to such an intense concert.

Yeah, I love the acoustic songs! Stare at the Sun acoustic is reallllly tight too. I wish they'd go back to their roots a bit though and stop trying to be artsy with the whole elements theme going on. Nothing good ever comes from being artsy. .____.

In reply to this comment by RedSky:
Which Japanese bands? I'm more or less slowly turning into a weaboo anyway

Yeah, I love Melting Point of Wax, So Strange I Remember You especially as well as virtually anything on Vheissu. I&II was fairly good, thought they captured water brilliantly, Night Diving especially with the way they conveyed dripping water, and the tranquility of deep sea diving. Fire, eh not so much. Could see they were going for a sense of chaos and distortion but just didn't feel like it came together melodically, Flame Deluge was excellent though. Agree Red Sky EP was excellent, especially their acoustic renditions, particularly Of Dust and Nations, really wish they'd do more of them.

In reply to this comment by JAPR:
Yeah, I've heard a few of the songs, but haven't really gotten around to checking it out fully, for some reason. Been too busy with new releases from my favorite Japanese bands, I guess. I thought Alchemy Index vols. I and II was pretty solid, with some tight songs, but definitely not quite up to par with the other stuff. Still, "not up to par with the other stuff" still translates to "pretty damn good," so I can't really complain too much in that department.

I wish they had a music video for T&C, A Torch to End All Torches, Melting Point of Wax, or So Strange I Remember you, because it's always hard to find truly good live videos of songs like that. I was very surprised to see them release Red Sky on that EP thing, but totally dug the coupling tracks.

In reply to this comment by RedSky:
Heh, yeah it was a bit of a giveaway before, now it's more subtle

Reminds me, I still gotta sift that song too Pity that they never released their better songs as singles though.

Sample the album on their myspace if you want, it's not anything groundbreaking by all means but still a solid album all around. Not nearly as good as Vheissu but still, have to give them props for branching out and experimenting with different styles.

the pillows, Asian Kung-fu Generation, Ellegarden, etc. I just saw Ellegarden at Kyouto Taisakusen, it was SO FUCKING GOOD. I'm not sure how to describe it other than I've never been to such an intense concert.

Yeah, I love the acoustic songs! Stare at the Sun acoustic is reallllly tight too. I wish they'd go back to their roots a bit though and stop trying to be artsy with the whole elements theme going on. Nothing good ever comes from being artsy. .____.

In reply to this comment by RedSky:
Which Japanese bands? I'm more or less slowly turning into a weaboo anyway

Yeah, I love Melting Point of Wax, So Strange I Remember You especially as well as virtually anything on Vheissu. I&II was fairly good, thought they captured water brilliantly, Night Diving especially with the way they conveyed dripping water, and the tranquility of deep sea diving. Fire, eh not so much. Could see they were going for a sense of chaos and distortion but just didn't feel like it came together melodically, Flame Deluge was excellent though. Agree Red Sky EP was excellent, especially their acoustic renditions, particularly Of Dust and Nations, really wish they'd do more of them.

In reply to this comment by JAPR:
Yeah, I've heard a few of the songs, but haven't really gotten around to checking it out fully, for some reason. Been too busy with new releases from my favorite Japanese bands, I guess. I thought Alchemy Index vols. I and II was pretty solid, with some tight songs, but definitely not quite up to par with the other stuff. Still, "not up to par with the other stuff" still translates to "pretty damn good," so I can't really complain too much in that department.

I wish they had a music video for T&C, A Torch to End All Torches, Melting Point of Wax, or So Strange I Remember you, because it's always hard to find truly good live videos of songs like that. I was very surprised to see them release Red Sky on that EP thing, but totally dug the coupling tracks.

In reply to this comment by RedSky:
Heh, yeah it was a bit of a giveaway before, now it's more subtle

Reminds me, I still gotta sift that song too Pity that they never released their better songs as singles though.

Sample the album on their myspace if you want, it's not anything groundbreaking by all means but still a solid album all around. Not nearly as good as Vheissu but still, have to give them props for branching out and experimenting with different styles.

Which Japanese bands? I'm more or less slowly turning into a weaboo anyway

Yeah, I love Melting Point of Wax, So Strange I Remember You especially as well as virtually anything on Vheissu. I&II was fairly good, thought they captured water brilliantly, Night Diving especially with the way they conveyed dripping water, and the tranquility of deep sea diving. Fire, eh not so much. Could see they were going for a sense of chaos and distortion but just didn't feel like it came together melodically, Flame Deluge was excellent though. Agree Red Sky EP was excellent, especially their acoustic renditions, particularly Of Dust and Nations, really wish they'd do more of them.

In reply to this comment by JAPR:
Yeah, I've heard a few of the songs, but haven't really gotten around to checking it out fully, for some reason. Been too busy with new releases from my favorite Japanese bands, I guess. I thought Alchemy Index vols. I and II was pretty solid, with some tight songs, but definitely not quite up to par with the other stuff. Still, "not up to par with the other stuff" still translates to "pretty damn good," so I can't really complain too much in that department.

I wish they had a music video for T&C, A Torch to End All Torches, Melting Point of Wax, or So Strange I Remember you, because it's always hard to find truly good live videos of songs like that. I was very surprised to see them release Red Sky on that EP thing, but totally dug the coupling tracks.

In reply to this comment by RedSky:
Heh, yeah it was a bit of a giveaway before, now it's more subtle

Reminds me, I still gotta sift that song too Pity that they never released their better songs as singles though.

Sample the album on their myspace if you want, it's not anything groundbreaking by all means but still a solid album all around. Not nearly as good as Vheissu but still, have to give them props for branching out and experimenting with different styles.

Yeah, I've heard a few of the songs, but haven't really gotten around to checking it out fully, for some reason. Been too busy with new releases from my favorite Japanese bands, I guess. I thought Alchemy Index vols. I and II was pretty solid, with some tight songs, but definitely not quite up to par with the other stuff. Still, "not up to par with the other stuff" still translates to "pretty damn good," so I can't really complain too much in that department.

I wish they had a music video for T&C, A Torch to End All Torches, Melting Point of Wax, or So Strange I Remember you, because it's always hard to find truly good live videos of songs like that. I was very surprised to see them release Red Sky on that EP thing, but totally dug the coupling tracks.

In reply to this comment by RedSky:
Heh, yeah it was a bit of a giveaway before, now it's more subtle

Reminds me, I still gotta sift that song too Pity that they never released their better songs as singles though.

Sample the album on their myspace if you want, it's not anything groundbreaking by all means but still a solid album all around. Not nearly as good as Vheissu but still, have to give them props for branching out and experimenting with different styles.

I am not sure what new thing this brings to the table rougy. I would upvote it if did. Or if it gave me something to think about, but it just didn't.

Aluminum has a relatively low melting point compared to steel. The fact that there were melted cars is not surprising. The fact that he says there is not fire at building 7, is in reply to the question "How much fire is left".