What makes Thompson’s 4 “crazy stunts” work?
In each instance, the initial chemical element or compound acts as a propellant. A propellant causes a chemical reaction to form a gas.
As you consider the explanations in the following pages, be aware of three ways gas behaves that gives a gas the potential to cause thrust, to move or propel an object:
- Gas (unlike liquid) can be squeezed (compressed).
Compressed gas provides thrust when released from a confined space. Example: release of air from a balloon. - Gas expands when heated.
The more heat is applied, the faster is the rate of expansion, and the more explosive thrust is generated. Example: Popcorn pops when its internal moisture is suddenly converted, by heat, into steam (a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen gases). - One gas, oxygen, increases burning rate.Certain chemical reactions release so much heat that the heat can ignite a flammable gas or other fuel, if present. If oxygen is released, the fire will burn more rapidly, whereas without oxygen, no fire could burn.
Just in case the question was entering your mind: “Is oxygen flammable?”, here’s the answer:
Here’s where it gets complicated: Oxygen is also not flammable, but it is a high-energy gas that very readily oxidizes other materials. For something to burn, the reaction requires a fuel (the thing that burns) and an oxidizer like oxygen.
Source: Is oxygen flammable?
