2006-07-26 04:24:41 · 21 answers · asked by ? 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Actually hcbiochem - you're wrong! You can, and there was a whole soddin' program on the other week. People found burnt to a char in the middle but their extremities and and the room they were found in untouched!
2006-07-26 05:18:07 · answer #1 · answered by Mr Angry 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
People found suspected of being victims of spontaneous human combustion were actually victims of something else.
The theory came out because often extremeties were left relatively untouched but the core of the body (contaning the most fluid) was gone, with little damage to the surrounding area.
What actually happens (I saw a programme on this but can't remember what it was called) is a process called the wick effect.
A person is incapacitated or killed and then starts to burn, but if they have the right sort of clothing on (wool usually) the fat from their adipose layer soaks the material and makes a kind of inside-out candle. Because the fire is on the inside and is insulated the temperature rises sufficiently to overcome the very high moisture content of the core and even hot enough to burn bones, something not possible in even the fiercest housefires.
The last thing to burn is the outer layer of fabric and is at a relatively low intensity, anything not inside (like feet for instance) is left unscathed.
So in short, you are not doing anything wrong, as nobody can actually spontaneously combust. If you are really keen then practice on a pig with a box of matches and a wooly blanket.
2006-07-27 04:15:55 · answer #2 · answered by grum 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
And now for the more serious answer (I know..that's no fun). You can't spontaneously combust, because in the activation energy for your combustion is too high. If you doused yourself with gasoline and ignited that, then you would burn very nicely and very spontaneously. But, in the absence of something to overcome the initial very large activation energy, you simply won't spontaneously combust.
2006-07-26 11:42:47 · answer #3 · answered by hcbiochem 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well try queueing at the post office for an hour only to find out you filled in the wrong damn form...after you asked for the form in the first place......you will get so hot under the collar im sure you will combust eventually.
2006-07-26 11:33:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
many cases apparently came from alcoholics, and in the old days, people thought that it was gods punishment for being a drunkard. so i would suggest drinking copious amounts of alcohol for the next 20 years, until its coming out of your skin, and then smoke. but even then your chances arent good, and then youll just die the slow painful death of liver failure and cancer
good luck!
2006-07-26 11:29:38 · answer #5 · answered by jasonalwaysready 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need an accelerator bbq fluid/petrol etc
let me know how you get on.
spontaneous human combustion has been outlawed sine the late 70's
2006-07-26 11:30:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to eat more gas producing food and drink lots of alcohol (or just plain lighter fluid) then light your own fart - watch how he blows!
Hoses at the ready folks!
2006-07-26 11:40:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
drink lots of 151 and then do a flaming 151 shot. That should do the trick.
2006-07-26 11:28:00 · answer #8 · answered by b_sav510 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because you are eating a sensible diet of human food, not a mixture of combustible chemicals.
2006-07-26 11:30:54 · answer #9 · answered by sarah c 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try getting totally bladdered and then pass out with a lighted cigarette - that should do the trick.
2006-07-26 11:41:11 · answer #10 · answered by Grizzly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋