This is a question from our schools science question wall
2007-03-21 08:28:44 · 7 answers · asked by caleb_blue32 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
There are certain conditions under which the fat in a human body can undergo a chemical change to essentially become an oily wax, known as adipocere.
It is the same process via which animal fat (tallow) is made into candles.
Once the fat has become wax, it is possible for it to melt. In some cases, it will do this at room temperature. This can be pretty disgusting if the body that had undergone this adipocere transformation has been brought onto an autopsy tray for investigation.
I'm told that the odour of melted adipocere is incredibly revolting, and has a tendency to stick to the back of your throat, as well as to any clothing you might be wearing. It's usually best to just throw the clothing away.
Other than that, I'm not aware of any method via which a human body would melt before it burned.
2007-03-21 08:52:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Melt from exposure to heat? I don't think so.
I think there are really potent and powerful chemicals that may effect the body so that it seems to melt.
I saw a CSI where this body was in a bag for months. The decomposition in the enclosed space caused the skin and organs to turn to gel from the other liquids in the body. The heat probably didn't help. It was the original show in Nevada. However, I can't vouch for the accuracy of the show. It is all entertainment, after all, and may not be true.
2007-03-21 08:39:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My first thought was heat and acid. But both of these would cause burning, not melting. I don't think a human body can melt unless it's some strange phenomenon that I don't know about. (Or you are the wicked witch of the west or Alex Mac)
2007-03-21 08:37:31 · answer #3 · answered by Ashley Z 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in order for something to melt, it must also have a liquid state.
since melting has is defined as reducing or causing to be reduced from a solid to a liquid state through heating. When we heat something eg ice the atoms begin to vibrate faster because of the energy gained from heat.
this extra vibration causes the bonds that hold the atoms together to loosen therefore making it more fluid and transforming it to a liquid. if the atoms continue to be heated they will vibrate faster further looseninng the bods that hold them together causing them to break away from each other completely forming steam (in the case of ice) .
it is technically not possible for human beings to melt since we don't have a liquid state to transform to (liquid human, that's funny).
someone can become burnt by concentrated acid (god forbid) and appear to be melting. Even if they were to become a puddle on the ground after being covered with acid this would not be melting since it wasn't caused by rapid vibration of their atoms.
so my answer is no, human beings cannot melt.
2007-03-21 08:58:15 · answer #4 · answered by JudiM 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The body (except for the bones and teeth) would burn before it would melt. Then the bones will decompose with higher temperatures. This is why cremation works so well.
2007-03-21 08:37:15 · answer #5 · answered by TitoBob 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. I think our skin will melt.
2016-03-17 00:13:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no.. i dont think so....
2007-03-21 08:34:39 · answer #7 · answered by Cindy(: 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋