The discussion centers around the claim of lighting water on fire, prompted by a video that allegedly demonstrates this phenomenon. Participants explore the validity of the claim, considering various explanations and personal experiences related to the topic.
Participants generally disagree on the validity of the claim that water can be lit on fire, with multiple competing views presented regarding the explanations for the video and the feasibility of the phenomenon.
Some claims rely on anecdotal evidence and personal experiences, and there are unresolved questions about the conditions under which water could potentially burn, including the role of dissolved gases.
Ivan Seeking said:He probably replaced the water with white gas, like that used in the old camping lanterns and stoves, or more likely, lighter fluid for a BBQ.
The claim is nonsense.
I saw that the thread was closed, so I figured I'd send this to you.
Regardless of what the video shows (can't see videos on this computer), I will say that it *is* possible, in some sense, to light water on fire.
When I was hiking in New Mexico there was a place where there was enough natural gas in the area (or so I was told) that water in a canteen could be shaken and lit. I can't say it was because of natural gas (though that sounds reasonable), but my fellow hikers and I were able to test this directly. We were able to light the water (actually vapors formerly dissolved in the water) and watch it burn for about 3-6 seconds with a dull blue flame. Not only did I witness our group doing this several times (new water each time; once lit it wouldn't light again) but we were able to videotape it one of the times.
I just thought this was relevant enough to mention...