The Clockwork Mansion

Village Square => The Lost Lake Inn => Topic started by: Cogidubnus on November 22, 2006, 12:14:11 AM

Title: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Cogidubnus on November 22, 2006, 12:14:11 AM
It's a fire! And Abelitz! Let us hope he can cast, yes?
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Zedd on November 22, 2006, 12:15:51 AM
God I hope not....
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Distracting on November 22, 2006, 12:17:23 AM
Didn't he learn magic like that at that one demon school?
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Hellcat on November 22, 2006, 12:18:18 AM
maybe Dan will finally be able to use his quote
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: xHaZxMaTx on November 22, 2006, 12:22:49 AM
Burn baby, burn.  Disco Inferno! :boogie
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: RJ on November 22, 2006, 12:26:12 AM
Smoooooke on the waaaater, fire in the sky!

D: I'm gonna have that stuck in my head all day now.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Jim Halisstrad on November 22, 2006, 12:31:08 AM
If Cleveland can set a river on fire, then surely Abel can do this :o
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Janus Whitefurr on November 22, 2006, 12:31:53 AM
Quote from: RJ on November 22, 2006, 12:26:12 AM
Smoooooke on the waaaater, fire in the sky!

D: I'm gonna have that stuck in my head all day now.

The Australian Hive Mind strikes again.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Manawolf on November 22, 2006, 12:32:36 AM
All you need is enough oil.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Hellcat on November 22, 2006, 12:33:22 AM
Quote from: RJ on November 22, 2006, 12:26:12 AM
Smoooooke on the waaaater, fire in the sky!

D: I'm gonna have that stuck in my head all day now.
at least you don't have the badger song in loop there.
I wonder if that was necessary to bring that up...
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: xHaZxMaTx on November 22, 2006, 12:35:10 AM
No, I don't think it was.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Jim Halisstrad on November 22, 2006, 12:35:21 AM
Quote from: ??? (aka Hellcat) on November 22, 2006, 12:33:22 AM

at least you don't have the badger song in loop there.
I wonder if that was necessary to bring that up...


I have the cure Right here. (http://newgrounds.com/portal/view/17231)  Safe for everyone.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: DigitalMan on November 22, 2006, 12:39:26 AM
Quote from: Jim Halisstrad on November 22, 2006, 12:31:08 AM
If Cleveland can set a river on fire, then surely Abel can do this:o

Hey, that's... completely true. :dface

I can't believe he got away clean from the adventuring party problem. And he's perfectly capable of actually casting fire magic. Could it possibly be that things won't go wrong?

Whee, our insane speculating tendencies got us recognition!
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: xHaZxMaTx on November 22, 2006, 12:40:03 AM
NewGrounds = Safe for Everyone ... Does Not Compute
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Jim Halisstrad on November 22, 2006, 12:41:41 AM
Well.... the link is, can't and won't guarrenty the safty of the rest of the site XD
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Kenji on November 22, 2006, 12:42:15 AM
Fire is good. Firewater is just taking something evil and adding awesome. ^-^
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: xHaZxMaTx on November 22, 2006, 12:51:01 AM
Umm...  I was under the impression that firewater was just another word for alchohol, but I'm dumb, so don't mind me. :/
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Cogidubnus on November 22, 2006, 12:52:36 AM
Firewater is booze. Greek Fire is just hard to put out. Both are equally awesome, for different things.  >:3
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Kenji on November 22, 2006, 12:59:00 AM
Quote from: HaZ×MaT on November 22, 2006, 12:51:01 AM
Umm...  I was under the impression that firewater was just another word for alchohol, but I'm dumb, so don't mind me. :/

Yeah, I had a play on words sorted out in my head, but I decided to ignore it. I just left the word in there to honor the memory of that joke. Plus firewater just sounds cool.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: carlfoxmarten on November 22, 2006, 01:03:32 AM
Hmm, kind of sounds like Amber's style, give us one thing to think will happen, then make something entirely different happen!  :erk

(and, yes, I am new. To here, at least!)
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Fresnor on November 22, 2006, 01:11:14 AM
Come on baby light my fire... >.>
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: xHaZxMaTx on November 22, 2006, 01:11:37 AM
Quote from: Cogidubnus on November 22, 2006, 12:52:36 AM
Firewater is booze. Greek Fire is just hard to put out. Both are equally awesome, for different things.  >:3
I know what Greek-Fire is, and am glad that no one knows how to make it. :O
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: tenlaius on November 22, 2006, 01:28:18 AM
oh my...if abel does do this..i will laugh like their is no tommorow..even if their is >.> xD
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Kasarn on November 22, 2006, 01:29:34 AM
Quote from: HaZ×MaT on November 22, 2006, 01:11:37 AM
Quote from: Cogidubnus on November 22, 2006, 12:52:36 AM
Firewater is booze. Greek Fire is just hard to put out. Both are equally awesome, for different things.  >:3
I know what Greek-Fire is, and am glad that no one knows how to make it. :O

Napalm works well enough
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: willow186129 on November 22, 2006, 01:30:03 AM
So we need a lot of oil to set the river on fire, and plenty of fire trucks to chase the moving fire down the river, unload, realize the fire has moved more, reload, follow, repeat.

Yeah! We are set for some fire watery action! :ipod
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Madmann135 on November 22, 2006, 01:45:01 AM
I know how to set water on fire... Did it before once and it was GREAT.

It's a simple trick
all you need is propane, route a hose under water, ventilate the propane under the water and light.

A mist works great because there is a constant stream of propane coming up from under the water.

Nothing like water on fire to make a pyro happy
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Toric on November 22, 2006, 02:14:33 AM
Let's hope he remembers the fire-wings that show up when Merlitz casts magic...
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Snuggles on November 22, 2006, 02:25:07 AM
Quote from: Madmann135 on November 22, 2006, 01:45:01 AM
I know how to set water on fire... Did it before once and it was GREAT.

It's a simple trick
all you need is propane, route a hose under water, ventilate the propane under the water and light.

A mist works great because there is a constant stream of propane coming up from under the water.

Nothing like water on fire to make a pyro happy

Yea Pyro  :boogie
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: xHaZxMaTx on November 22, 2006, 02:26:33 AM
Quote from: Toric on November 22, 2006, 02:14:33 AM
Let's hope he remembers the fire-wings that show up when Merlitz casts magic...
The reporter doesn't know that.  Or does she?
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Aisha deCabre on November 22, 2006, 02:39:26 AM
This...can't possibly bode well.   :erk  Of course seeing Dan in Alexsi-guise he must remember just how angry she can get.  Imagine what she'd do to him if the lake was on fire upon her return.

Apocalypse anyone?  :U
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Fresnor on November 22, 2006, 03:01:04 AM
Hmm, I'm noticeing that while Amber says the INN won't be burned down she fails to mention everything else...  >.>
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Manawolf on November 22, 2006, 03:02:09 AM
You know, that reporter in the middle panel has a stare that just makes me think of a kid when a cop comes to talk, and it boils down to "Who wants to see me shoot something with my gun" and all the kids going "Yay!"

Not sure if that came out right.  Bah, blasted midnight.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: icarus on November 22, 2006, 04:04:30 AM
Quote from: Fresnor on November 22, 2006, 03:01:04 AM
Hmm, I'm noticeing that while Amber says the INN won't be burned down she fails to mention everything else...  >.>

i'm noticing amber quietly slamming her head into her desk at your comment.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Tapewolf on November 22, 2006, 04:11:55 AM
Quote from: HaZ×MaT on November 22, 2006, 02:26:33 AM
Quote from: Toric on November 22, 2006, 02:14:33 AM
Let's hope he remembers the fire-wings that show up when Merlitz casts magic...
The reporter doesn't know that.  Or does she?
Well we don't know, but given that Merlitz is a Being and that it's somewhat rare for Beings to be able to cast magic at all, she might well have been told.
And if she hasn't, don't forget that Merl's team do know, and if they stay to watch him do it, it could all be over.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Sid on November 22, 2006, 04:33:16 AM
...Dan-as-Alexsi sure got the "look cute and innocent" part right.
And I love Merbel's determined look there. :D
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Wildy on November 22, 2006, 04:46:45 AM
SPECULATION!!!

Did anyone else notice the look on Nightmyste's face when he was talking to Dan/Alexsi? Dan is just a beginner cubi. His disguise is the magic of others, not his own. Perhaps Nightmyste has picked up on this. My bet is they'll  be back later for Dan. He -is- a cubi afterall, though whether or not he's a threat is still to be determined by the adventurer's point of view. We all know he's not, but they don't.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Aridas on November 22, 2006, 04:47:40 AM
Well, so far so good, i've been right on all counts. And it appears the best way to be an Alexsi-substitute is to anime-smile your way through it so nobody notices who you aren't. That could just be coincidence, but it seems funny from here.

For a final prediction, I'd say that while Lost Lake itself evades disaster, a disguntled Abel is going to be pretty Merlitzy, at least in a way most could expect of him. Probably too Merlitzy for their own good.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Sid on November 22, 2006, 04:54:44 AM
Quote from: Wildy on November 22, 2006, 04:46:45 AM
Did anyone else notice the look on Nightmyste's face when he was talking to Dan/Alexsi? Dan is just a beginner cubi. His disguise is the magic of others, not his own. Perhaps Nightmyste has picked up on this. My bet is they'll  be back later for Dan. He -is- a cubi afterall, though whether or not he's a threat is still to be determined by the adventurer's point of view. We all know he's not, but they don't.

Well, Dan is a threat. Just ask Dark Pegasus :P
And any adventurer going after Dan hopefully doesn't stick to the "Cubi are strong with magic, but aren't experienced at regular fighting" (to loosely interpret the Demo101) rule of thumb. It would really suck to engage Dan with nothing but a small sword and tons of anti-magic barriers.

But if they came back, they'd also meet Abel. And that may be a problem.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Tapewolf on November 22, 2006, 05:13:55 AM
Quote from: Wildy on November 22, 2006, 04:46:45 AM
Did anyone else notice the look on Nightmyste's face when he was talking to Dan/Alexsi?
Oh, I assumed he just fancied her.  Which alone could cause problems.

Quote from: Sid on November 22, 2006, 04:54:44 AM
But if they came back, they'd also meet Abel. And that may be a problem.

Abel will likely be expecting that, since he told them it was okay to return later.  He'll probably shift into his wingless form, but he would then have to explain Merlitz' and Alexsi's disappearance.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: e_voyager on November 22, 2006, 05:18:03 AM
i assumed it was just a little flirting as well. now for the lake Burn it all!
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Allu on November 22, 2006, 05:19:08 AM
It's true, Dan probably is a better fighter then the average cubi, and, as his abilities sets in he's only going to get better.

I think I'm turning into a dirty old man though, did Dan's breasts grow between the first and the last panel ?
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Sid on November 22, 2006, 05:36:52 AM
Quote from: Tapewolf on November 22, 2006, 05:13:55 AM
Quote from: Sid on November 22, 2006, 04:54:44 AM
But if they came back, they'd also meet Abel. And that may be a problem.

Abel will likely be expecting that, since he told them it was okay to return later.  He'll probably shift into his wingless form, but he would then have to explain Merlitz' and Alexsi's disappearance.

He could just go with the truth or something close to it. Merlitz left and Alexsi will either come back soon or sign her letters with "Alexsi San" in the future :P
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: superluser on November 22, 2006, 05:49:47 AM
Quote from: ??? (aka Hellcat) on November 22, 2006, 12:33:22 AM
Quote from: RJ on November 22, 2006, 12:26:12 AM
Smoooooke on the waaaater, fire in the sky!

D: I'm gonna have that stuck in my head all day now.
at least you don't have the badger song in loop there.
I wonder if that was necessary to bring that up...

National Geographic Theme song trumps all.

Quote from: Madmann135 on November 22, 2006, 01:45:01 AM
I know how to set water on fire... Did it before once and it was GREAT.

It's a simple trick
all you need is propane, route a hose under water, ventilate the propane under the water and light.

Or...sodium.  I hear they set the Charles river on fire every year with that.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Tapewolf on November 22, 2006, 06:10:08 AM
Quote from: Sid on November 22, 2006, 05:36:52 AM
Quote from: Tapewolf on November 22, 2006, 05:13:55 AM
Abel will likely be expecting that, since he told them it was okay to return later.  He'll probably shift into his wingless form, but he would then have to explain Merlitz' and Alexsi's disappearance.

He could just go with the truth or something close to it. Merlitz left and Alexsi will either come back soon or sign her letters with "Alexsi San" in the future :P

That's hard to work if Merl's group come back an hour later or so.  That Merlitz quit and Alexsi got kidnapped in the intervening time is hard to swallow, and Abel is unlikely to tell them outright that he and Dan are the very Creatures they're hunting.
Dan might, of course, but if it came to it, he'd be able to fight them on adventurer terms anyway.  Abel seems to be very much in a 'the Beings are out to get me!' frame of mind though, so he's going to try and conceal his heritage.
Whatever they say, Abel can't really admit that he was pretending to be Merlitz without also letting slip that he's a 'cubi...
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: ShiningShadow on November 22, 2006, 07:15:56 AM
Quote from: Tapewolf on November 22, 2006, 06:10:08 AM
Quote from: Sid on November 22, 2006, 05:36:52 AM
Quote from: Tapewolf on November 22, 2006, 05:13:55 AM
Abel will likely be expecting that, since he told them it was okay to return later.  He'll probably shift into his wingless form, but he would then have to explain Merlitz' and Alexsi's disappearance.

He could just go with the truth or something close to it. Merlitz left and Alexsi will either come back soon or sign her letters with "Alexsi San" in the future :P

That's hard to work if Merl's group come back an hour later or so.  That Merlitz quit and Alexsi got kidnapped in the intervening time is hard to swallow, and Abel is unlikely to tell them outright that he and Dan are the very Creatures they're hunting.
Dan might, of course, but if it came to it, he'd be able to fight them on adventurer terms anyway.  Abel seems to be very much in a 'the Beings are out to get me!' frame of mind though, so he's going to try and conceal his heritage.
Whatever they say, Abel can't really admit that he was pretending to be Merlitz without also letting slip that he's a 'cubi...

Or Abel could do this and points his finger at Dan and says *It was all his fault!* * I was kidnapped by him and forced to work here* as Abel continues and while the Adventure's being so busy with Dan Abel dissapears in an instant. But the Lake going on fire *WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE* *I love the smell of Napalm in the morning. (quoting from Apocalypse now)*.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Aridas on November 22, 2006, 07:30:32 AM
There are a few ways to set a lake on fire... There are a couple elements or so that react violently to contact with water... I won't say which, since I don't want to be held responsible for causing explosions.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: bill on November 22, 2006, 10:10:30 AM
Yeah, there's a reason that they don't combine Francium with water.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Aridas on November 22, 2006, 10:15:33 AM
I wasn't speaking of that... but... close enough.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Tapewolf on November 22, 2006, 10:23:54 AM
Quote from: Aridas Soulfire on November 22, 2006, 07:30:32 AM
There are a few ways to set a lake on fire... There are a couple elements or so that react violently to contact with water... I won't say which, since I don't want to be held responsible for causing explosions.
That may be a little over-cautious - the only people who can actually get their hands on that kind of stuff will already know what it can do.

Theodore Gray's Sodium parties:  http://www.theodoregray.com/PeriodicTable/Stories/011.2/
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Aridas on November 22, 2006, 10:32:59 AM
Not really. Kids stole a roll of magnesium.. or whatever it was.. from school so they could set some of THAT on fire, so I don't really doubt people getting their hands on other elements is easy x_x
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: bill on November 22, 2006, 10:40:39 AM
Francium would be literally impossible to get, and I doubt people would leave cesium lying around unguarded.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Aridas on November 22, 2006, 10:41:46 AM
There's others.... >.>
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Tapewolf on November 22, 2006, 11:13:06 AM
Quote from: Aridas Soulfire on November 22, 2006, 10:32:59 AM
Not really. Kids stole a roll of magnesium.. or whatever it was.. from school so they could set some of THAT on fire, so I don't really doubt people getting their hands on other elements is easy x_x
Heh, we did that too.  Sodium and potassium however have to be stored in oil or some other such substance to prevent them reacting with atmospheric moisture.  To comply with various UK regulations for the storage of hazardous substances it was kept very firmly under lock and key.  It was difficult enough for the teachers to get at and pretty much impossible for a pupil to get their hands on.
Since the USA is far more litigious than the UK, I'd be amazed if it wasn't even more tightly controlled over there...
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Alondro on November 22, 2006, 11:19:31 AM
Actually, the reason some alkali and alkali earth metals create flame in the water is because the reaction they have with water produces hydrogen and a great amount of heat energy, which ignites the hydrogen.  The metal itself isn't actually burning, which is what happens when you ignite a strip of magnesium.  The metals CAN ignite if you set fire to them, but when they're thrown in water, they strip a hydroxide ion from a water molecule.  The process involves the donation of their single s-level outer shell electron to the oxygen atom of the water, which dissociates a hydrogen atom, which quickly stabilizes itself by binding with another hydrogen atom to form the stable diatomic hydrogen molecule.  The excess heat generated by the reaction ignites the hydrogen in the air, and ends up producing water once more in vapor form.  When you dry out water in which the reaction took place, you'll end up with either sodium or potassium hydroxide.

Both sodium and potassium metal can do this in water, so there's no need for the rarer metals.  And both metals can be produced by the electrolysis if molten metal halide salts, which generally takes place at about 1350oC.  Adding a small amount of a carbonate often eases the melting of the salts.   You have to keep the newly formed metal and its halide away from eah other, as they will react violently to reform teh salt, such as what happens if a chunk of potassium in tossed in a vat of iodine.  The heat has no molecules to act upon, as the products use up all the metal and halide, thus pure ignition of one or both of the reagents takes place with air and can explode if the amount of reagents are enough.

So, Abelitz has plenty of interesting options!   >:3

Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Aridas on November 22, 2006, 11:38:18 AM
The basics we were taught in class, other than what you said, was that the "farther apart" the compatible elements were, the more of a reaction that could be created... so the ones on the far left were the ones that had a quick, high-energy exchange with water... though I might have worded that wrong just now... Classes don't stick in my mind. Ever.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: bill on November 22, 2006, 11:49:25 AM
Group 1 and water don't mix very well. In the barest terms, the closer an element is to having a full or empty outer shell, the more reactive it is. Group 17 is extremely reactive as well.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Supercheese on November 22, 2006, 12:26:50 PM
Quote from: BillBuckner on November 22, 2006, 10:40:39 AM
Francium would be literally impossible to get, and I doubt people would leave cesium lying around unguarded.

Yeah, doesn't Francium have a really short half-life?

I would still really like to see the kind of explosion a piece of that stuff would put out... I've seen what cesium can do, and I'm impressed.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: xhahakristinax on November 22, 2006, 01:10:45 PM
I would so much rather see the lake be set on fire, than soem stupid fire mage magic.
Why can Abel see that!? :eager
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: superluser on November 22, 2006, 01:11:31 PM
Quote from: Supercheese on November 22, 2006, 12:26:50 PMYeah, doesn't Francium have a really short half-life?

Wikipedia says less than 30 minutes for all isotopes.  Which is kinda weird, because it's not a manmade element.  Must only occur as a product of the decay of other elements.

Rubidium, on the other hand, isn't that hard to find, at least ionized.  It's used in fireworks to give things a reddish (Wikipedia says purplish) hue.

(Rubidus, -a, -um is Latin for red.)
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: terrycloth on November 22, 2006, 02:23:05 PM
Quote from: Alondro on November 22, 2006, 11:19:31 AM
Actually, the reason some alkali and alkali earth metals create flame in the water is because the reaction they have with water produces hydrogen and a great amount of heat energy, which ignites the hydrogen.  The metal itself isn't actually burning, which is what happens when you ignite a strip of magnesium.  The metals CAN ignite if you set fire to them, but when they're thrown in water, they strip a hydroxide ion from a water molecule.  The process involves the donation of their single s-level outer shell electron to the oxygen atom of the water, which dissociates a hydrogen atom, which quickly stabilizes itself by binding with another hydrogen atom to form the stable diatomic hydrogen molecule.  The excess heat generated by the reaction ignites the hydrogen in the air, and ends up producing water once more in vapor form.  When you dry out water in which the reaction took place, you'll end up with either sodium or potassium hydroxide.

So, instead of burning, they undergo exothermic oxidation? Isn't that also known as 'burning'?
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Stygian on November 22, 2006, 02:35:35 PM
It's just a question of where the reaction takes place. Exo does not signify without, but outgoing. So the thing is burning exothermically slightly extralocally.  :)

Quote from: Wildy on November 22, 2006, 04:46:45 AM
SPECULATION!!!

Did anyone else notice the look on Nightmyste's face when he was talking to Dan/Alexsi? Dan is just a beginner cubi. His disguise is the magic of others, not his own. Perhaps Nightmyste has picked up on this. My bet is they'll  be back later for Dan. He -is- a cubi afterall, though whether or not he's a threat is still to be determined by the adventurer's point of view. We all know he's not, but they don't.

This has been the best comment yet. While Alondro always tops out on the chemistry and genetics, Wildy scores this one home.

As for me, I believe that it will probably be Merbel's fire magic, or Danlexsi's behaviour that gives them out. Or a combination of both. And the other adventurers will be back for questions.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Cogidubnus on November 22, 2006, 02:37:48 PM
I heard about this one chemistry major who went fishing with some Cesium in his pocket...apparently, he had an accident out there...they never even found the boat. >:3
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: superluser on November 22, 2006, 03:02:06 PM
Quote from: Cogidubnus on November 22, 2006, 02:37:48 PM
I heard about this one chemistry major who went fishing with some Cesium in his pocket...apparently, he had an accident out there...they never even found the boat. >:3

Entertaining, but I think the cesium would have fallen out of a hole in his pocket before he even got on the boat.

...funny, there wasn't a hole there this morning...
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: bill on November 22, 2006, 03:03:18 PM
Yeah, that smells like urban legend. Cesium isn't something that you'd put in your pocket.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Madmann135 on November 22, 2006, 03:04:26 PM
Well... my method of setting water on fire or the ilusion of such is probably the safest and easiest.

Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Cogidubnus on November 22, 2006, 03:14:57 PM
Quote from: BillBuckner on November 22, 2006, 03:03:18 PM
Yeah, that smells like urban legend. Cesium isn't something that you'd put in your pocket.

Hey man, the MIT chemistry major says it's true, so I believe him, yeah?
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: superluser on November 22, 2006, 03:18:08 PM
Quote from: terrycloth on November 22, 2006, 02:23:05 PM
Quote from: Alondro on November 22, 2006, 11:19:31 AM
Actually, the reason some alkali and alkali earth metals create flame in the water is because the reaction they have with water produces hydrogen and a great amount of heat energy, which ignites the hydrogen.  The metal itself isn't actually burning, which is what happens when you ignite a strip of magnesium.  The metals CAN ignite if you set fire to them, but when they're thrown in water, they strip a hydroxide ion from a water molecule.  The process involves the donation of their single s-level outer shell electron to the oxygen atom of the water, which dissociates a hydrogen atom, which quickly stabilizes itself by binding with another hydrogen atom to form the stable diatomic hydrogen molecule.  The excess heat generated by the reaction ignites the hydrogen in the air, and ends up producing water once more in vapor form.  When you dry out water in which the reaction took place, you'll end up with either sodium or potassium hydroxide.

So, instead of burning, they undergo exothermic oxidation? Isn't that also known as 'burning'?

I think his point was that the metal isn't what's burning.  You've got two reactions:

2Na + 2H2O -> 2NaOH +H2

2H2 + O2 -heat-> 2H2O

(I think I balanced those)

The Na does not participate in the combustion reaction.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Alondro on November 22, 2006, 03:50:46 PM
Many types of reactions occur that are exothermic oxidations, yet are not combustion.  Rusting iron, for instance, is exothermic oxidation (if you look at the net energy from the reaction, it gives off heat) but it's certainly not burning!  Zinc in HCl, same thing, but no fire because the heat generated isn't enough to ignite the hydrogen.

That is correct about the electron shells.  The alkali metals all have one unpaired electron in their outer shell, with all their inner shells filled.  The reason the larger atoms are more reactive is due to the charge attraction and insulating effect of the inner shells.  The outer electron of hydrogen, which is technically an alkali metal and thus has been hypothesized to act as an alkali metal under conditions of extreme pressure (around 1 million atmospheres, I think) such as exists inside Jupiter and possibly Saturn, is held fairly tightly to its single proton nucleus compared to cesium.  The outer s-shell electron of cesium is far from the nucleus overall.  This makes its attraction to the nucleus much weaker and its unpaired status allows other atoms or molecules that either 'need' electrons or exist in a state such that the reaction is energetically favorable to exchange one ion for another (sodium has far higher affinity for oxygen than hydrogen... electronegativity or something... been years since chemistry class).

Then there are the 'noble gasses' with all outer valence electron shells full: helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon.  They are very stable and only form compounds under unusual conditions with extremely electron-hungry chemicals.  Helium and neon, at least as far as I know, hold onto their two outer s-shell electrons so strongly that there have never been compounds formed from them.

Uhm... so anyway... Abel's gonna set Lost Lake on fire... heh heh heh...  :B
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: terrycloth on November 22, 2006, 04:05:51 PM
Quote from: Alondro on November 22, 2006, 03:50:46 PM
Many types of reactions occur that are exothermic oxidations, yet are not combustion.  Rusting iron, for instance, is exothermic oxidation (if you look at the net energy from the reaction, it gives off heat) but it's certainly not burning! 

Huh? My high school chemistry teacher said that iron rusting *was* being burned -- burning was any oxidation. And oxidation doesn't mean 'being combined with oxygen molecules' (even though in these examples it is) it means... er... something technical... that I don't remember... except that the opposite is reduction. Dammit. :mowignore
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Kibin on November 22, 2006, 04:07:57 PM
Quote from: Alondro on November 22, 2006, 03:50:46 PM
Many types of reactions occur that are exothermic oxidations, yet are not combustion.  Rusting iron, for instance, is exothermic oxidation (if you look at the net energy from the reaction, it gives off heat) but it's certainly not burning!  Zinc in HCl, same thing, but no fire because the heat generated isn't enough to ignite the hydrogen.

That is correct about the electron shells.  The alkali metals all have one unpaired electron in their outer shell, with all their inner shells filled.  The reason the larger atoms are more reactive is due to the charge attraction and insulating effect of the inner shells.  The outer electron of hydrogen, which is technically an alkali metal and thus has been hypothesized to act as an alkali metal under conditions of extreme pressure (around 1 million atmospheres, I think) such as exists inside Jupiter and possibly Saturn, is held fairly tightly to its single proton nucleus compared to cesium.  The outer s-shell electron of cesium is far from the nucleus overall.  This makes its attraction to the nucleus much weaker and its unpaired status allows other atoms or molecules that either 'need' electrons or exist in a state such that the reaction is energetically favorable to exchange one ion for another (sodium has far higher affinity for oxygen than hydrogen... electronegativity or something... been years since chemistry class).

Then there are the 'noble gasses' with all outer valence electron shells full: helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon.  They are very stable and only form compounds under unusual conditions with extremely electron-hungry chemicals.  Helium and neon, at least as far as I know, hold onto their two outer s-shell electrons so strongly that there have never been compounds formed from them.

Uhm... so anyway... Abel's gonna set Lost Lake on fire... heh heh heh...  :B

...was Charline on vacation or something?
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Stygian on November 22, 2006, 04:18:16 PM
Quote from: terrycloth on November 22, 2006, 04:05:51 PM
Quote from: Alondro on November 22, 2006, 03:50:46 PM
Many types of reactions occur that are exothermic oxidations, yet are not combustion.  Rusting iron, for instance, is exothermic oxidation (if you look at the net energy from the reaction, it gives off heat) but it's certainly not burning! 

Huh? My high school chemistry teacher said that iron rusting *was* being burned -- burning was any oxidation. And oxidation doesn't mean 'being combined with oxygen molecules' (even though in these examples it is) it means... er... something technical... that I don't remember... except that the opposite is reduction. Dammit. :mowignore

No, it means specifically combining with oxygen. And you cannot say that any sort of violent and heat-generating reaction between two chemicals might be called burning. Then we're starting to get on the topic of the leaps of the electrons in the atoms as they combine with each other and the different spectra of radiation that might release, so we might end up with something that does not release heat at all, but is instead luminescent, or violently radioactive, or gives you horrible skin burns and cancer, etc...
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: ChaosTiger on November 22, 2006, 05:05:48 PM
all this talk about explosions and fire... makes me feel like burning something now... >_>

since it's magic, he could just have the fire above the water instead of the lake actually burning... but what fun would that be? :veryevil on with the explosions! things must BURN  >:D
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: e_voyager on November 22, 2006, 05:06:44 PM
Quote from: Supercheese on November 22, 2006, 12:26:50 PM
Quote from: BillBuckner on November 22, 2006, 10:40:39 AM
Francium would be literally impossible to get, and I doubt people would leave cesium lying around unguarded.

Yeah, doesn't Francium have a really short half-life?

I would still really like to see the kind of explosion a piece of that stuff would put out... I've seen what cesium can do, and I'm impressed.

yeah me to still you have to know that things never stay the same. there will find other ways to do what they do
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Stygian on November 22, 2006, 05:10:56 PM
The golden rule states that everything turns into shit. Entropy conquers all. End of story.

Now, who believes that Danlexsi's dress will catch fire and lead to great embarrassment? Raise a hand!
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Grenn on November 22, 2006, 05:13:21 PM
Woo! Fire!

Eh, easy enough to cast it. At least from Able's point of view :p
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Cogidubnus on November 22, 2006, 05:20:37 PM
Wait...isn't that running joke? That Dan once set the lake on fire? :U
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: terrycloth on November 22, 2006, 05:34:30 PM
Quote from: Stygian on November 22, 2006, 04:18:16 PM
Quote from: terrycloth on November 22, 2006, 04:05:51 PM
Huh? My high school chemistry teacher said that iron rusting *was* being burned -- burning was any oxidation. And oxidation doesn't mean 'being combined with oxygen molecules' (even though in these examples it is) it means... er... something technical... that I don't remember... except that the opposite is reduction. Dammit. :mowignore

No, it means specifically combining with oxygen.

Okay, I looked it up, and you're wrong. Well, the 'no' is wrong -- it also means combining with oxygen, but that's not the only definition.

burn
(after a bunch of intuitive and metaphorical definitions, we get the actual chemistry definition)
10. Chemistry. a. to undergo combustion, either fast or slow; oxidize.  
b. to undergo fission or fusion.  

oxidize
4. to remove electrons from (an atom or molecule), thereby increasing the valence. Compare reduce (def. 12).  

There was a definition 1 that specified 'combining with oxygen', but 2NA + H2O -> 2NAOH + H2 seems to qualify on that count too, and this is the one I remember from chemistry.

combusion
2. Chemistry.
a. rapid oxidation accompanied by heat and, usually, light.  
b. chemical combination attended by production of heat and light.  
c. slow oxidation not accompanied by high temperature and light.  

So it's absolutely clear that rusting iron qualifies since it's iron plus oxygen gas. There might be some wiggle room for sodium+water, although it seems to qualify. Basically, the 'chemistry' definition of burn would have to be referring to the oxygen-specific definition of 'oxidize' and not the valence-related one.

Also, it's pretty clear that, entirely aside from that, you CAN say that any chemical reaction that produces heat and light is 'burning', and in particular nuclear fission and fusion are 'burning'. It looks like 'heat' is more important than 'light' for the generic definition.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: GabrielsThoughts on November 22, 2006, 05:41:06 PM
Quote from: Wildy on November 22, 2006, 04:46:45 AM
SPECULATION!!!

Did anyone else notice the look on Nightmyste's face when he was talking to Dan/Alexsi? Dan is just a beginner cubi. His disguise is the magic of others, not his own. Perhaps Nightmyste has picked up on this. My bet is they'll  be back later for Dan. He -is- a cubi afterall, though whether or not he's a threat is still to be determined by the adventurer's point of view. We all know he's not, but they don't.

speculation? The chances of this probably just doubled concidering you have an "in" with the Amber person... hmm, someone should start a betting pool.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Stygian on November 22, 2006, 05:45:06 PM
Quote from: Cogidubnus on November 22, 2006, 05:20:37 PM
Wait...isn't that running joke? That Dan once set the lake on fire? :U

Verily, my liege! Yet once again, you art the only one to mind such references, whilst the rest bicker and squabble. Thrice a cheer for you!

There is going to be a comment about that from Alexsi's side later, or alternatively Dan will slap his face and think; "Aww, cripes... Not again..."
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Zedd on November 22, 2006, 05:47:16 PM
It be fun see fire on water anyhow
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: terrycloth on November 22, 2006, 05:53:30 PM
Quote from: Zedd on November 22, 2006, 05:47:16 PM
It be fun see fire on water anyhow

Panel 2: Lake burns in the background, while the adventuring party discusses.

"That's not merlitz. He always got those silly fire-wings when he was setting lakes on fire."

"Yeah, and there were some heavy magic spells on the proprieter of that inn. Do you think they're advertising to lure in new victims?"
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: ChaosTiger on November 22, 2006, 06:00:47 PM
Quote from: Stygian on November 22, 2006, 05:45:06 PM
Quote from: Cogidubnus on November 22, 2006, 05:20:37 PM
Wait...isn't that running joke? That Dan once set the lake on fire? :U

Verily, my liege! Yet once again, you art the only one to mind such references, whilst the rest bicker and squabble. Thrice a cheer for you!

There is going to be a comment about that from Alexsi's side later, or alternatively Dan will slap his face and think; "Aww, cripes... Not again..."
I could see either of those happening... or both o_0 although I'm leaning towards the second one myself...
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Faerie Alex on November 22, 2006, 06:11:57 PM
Quote from: Cogidubnus on November 22, 2006, 05:20:37 PM
Wait...isn't that running joke? That Dan once set the lake on fire? :U
Actually, he turned it pink.
http://www.missmab.com/Comics/Vol_675.php
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Alan Garou on November 22, 2006, 06:27:47 PM
Quote from: Cogidubnus on November 22, 2006, 02:37:48 PM
I heard about this one chemistry major who went fishing with some Cesium in his pocket...apparently, he had an accident out there...they never even found the boat. >:3
I believe that Amber once responded to this sort of discussion...  :)
Quote from: Amber Panyko on November 14, 2006, 10:05:26 PM
STOP NERDING UP MY THREADS! D:
Anyway, I agree that although Amber said that the Inn wouldn't be set on fire, there is probably significance to the fact that she said nothing about the actual lake. I expect to see the lake on fire within a week or two's time. And if Merbelitz doesn't set the fire, then I will! :veryevil
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: DigitalMan on November 22, 2006, 06:32:27 PM
Hmm, more speculation! I say he still gets caught by the adventuring party. 20 bucks says Gen is still there :B
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Aridas on November 22, 2006, 06:35:21 PM
You're only assuming that because amber was coloring her boobs.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Alondro on November 22, 2006, 07:13:32 PM
Quote from: Kibin on November 22, 2006, 04:07:57 PM

...was Charline on vacation or something?

*Charles erms*  She's..uhm... still on her 'date' with the horse... *cough cough*   :B
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: llearch n'n'daCorna on November 22, 2006, 08:29:56 PM
Quote from: terrycloth on November 22, 2006, 05:34:30 PM
So it's absolutely clear that rusting iron qualifies since it's iron plus oxygen gas. There might be some wiggle room for sodium+water, although it seems to qualify. Basically, the 'chemistry' definition of burn would have to be referring to the oxygen-specific definition of 'oxidize' and not the valence-related one.

Ah.. the oxygen reaction -is- the valence reaction. That why it's called oxidise...

Or, at least, that was my understanding. The NA bonds close to OH than OH does to H, since H2O has weak inter bonds, and strong intra bonds...

no?

(I'll admit, it's been a good twelve years since I did any chemistry in anger, though, so..)
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Toric on November 22, 2006, 09:01:37 PM
Quote from: HaZ×MaT on November 22, 2006, 02:26:33 AM
Quote from: Toric on November 22, 2006, 02:14:33 AM
Let's hope he remembers the fire-wings that show up when Merlitz casts magic...
The reporter doesn't know that.  Or does she?
Probably not, but I imagine at least one person who reads the article on Lost Lake will know Merlitz and notice the lack of flaming wings of death. And then he/she'll shrug and decide they didn't look good in the photo and just got photoshopped out.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Landon_Fox on November 22, 2006, 09:12:44 PM
I am impressed by your chemistic reporte, Alondro.  Of course you know that the next time I include some chemistry gadget in my writing, I'm going to come to you for the technospeak!
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: superluser on November 22, 2006, 09:16:16 PM
Quote from: terrycloth on November 22, 2006, 05:34:30 PMoxidize
4. to remove electrons from (an atom or molecule), thereby increasing the valence. Compare reduce (def. 12). 

There was a definition 1 that specified 'combining with oxygen', but 2NA + H2O -> 2NAOH + H2 seems to qualify on that count too, and this is the one I remember from chemistry.

I can never remember which is reduction and which is oxidation, but who needs to think when Wikipedia is there to think for you (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redox)?

The alkali metal doesn't undergo oxidation; it undergoes reduction.

Edit: aww, crap.  I'm an idiot.  It undergoes oxidation, not reduction.  This is why I hated redox.

Quote from: terrycloth on November 22, 2006, 05:34:30 PMcombusion
2. Chemistry.
a. rapid oxidation accompanied by heat and, usually, light. 
b. chemical combination attended by production of heat and light. 
c. slow oxidation not accompanied by high temperature and light.

My  college Chem text (http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=338116856&searchurl=isbn%3D0471118397%26nsa%3D1) defines combustion as ``A rapid reaction with oxygen accompanied by a flame and the evolution of heat and light (19.8)''.  My high school Chem class said the same.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: DigitalMan on November 22, 2006, 10:51:10 PM
It's quite nice that I understand every word of the chemistry and physics speak for a change, but really, what's the probability it will be used in the comic at all? :P
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Wildy on November 22, 2006, 10:51:54 PM
Quote from: GabrielsThoughts on November 22, 2006, 05:41:06 PM

speculation? The chances of this probably just doubled concidering you have an "in" with the Amber person... hmm, someone should start a betting pool.

Amber does not give everything away. And considering I've talked to her maybe 4 times since July when she moved out I really don't know squat of whats going on for the future of DMFA. So I'm as speculative as you guys are. I just don't have my head up my ass about it most of the time. XD
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Stygian on November 22, 2006, 10:54:49 PM
That frankness is why I love you, Wildy. Well, that and the stubborn refusal to put on a shirt.

Now, I declare this topic dead in my eyes, and go to find more tea...
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: DigitalMan on November 22, 2006, 11:04:14 PM
Quote from: Stygian on November 22, 2006, 10:54:49 PM
That frankness is why I love you, Wildy. Well, that and the stubborn refusal to put on a shirt.

I'd say something about not confusing the characters with the real people, but I can't help but wonder how far off that is...
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Amber Williams on November 22, 2006, 11:05:22 PM
Guys.  You are venturing into a No-zone.

Don't go there.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: DigitalMan on November 22, 2006, 11:13:57 PM
Quote from: Amber Panyko on November 22, 2006, 11:05:22 PM
Guys.  You are venturing into a No-zone.

Don't go there.

*salutes* As you wish.
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Alondro on November 22, 2006, 11:51:47 PM
Quote from: Landon_Fox on November 22, 2006, 09:12:44 PM
I am impressed by your chemistic reporte, Alondro.  Of course you know that the next time I include some chemistry gadget in my writing, I'm going to come to you for the technospeak!

Heh, don't forget about Wikipedia.  I go there whenever I'm not sure I'm remembering something correctly.  The chemistry data there has become quite extensive.   :)
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: llearch n'n'daCorna on November 23, 2006, 06:29:07 AM
Quote from: Alondro on November 22, 2006, 11:51:47 PM
Heh, don't forget about Wikipedia.  I go there whenever I'm not sure I'm remembering something correctly.  The chemistry data there has become quite extensive.   :)

... How much of that is your fault? :-)
Title: Re: 11/22/06 - Fire!
Post by: Jigsaw Forte on November 23, 2006, 12:21:31 PM
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on November 23, 2006, 06:29:07 AM
Quote from: Alondro on November 22, 2006, 11:51:47 PM
Heh, don't forget about Wikipedia.  I go there whenever I'm not sure I'm remembering something correctly.  The chemistry data there has become quite extensive.   :)

... How much of that is your fault? :-)

The Computer Science data is pretty good too. At least until you tread into compiler theory.