Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Ancient Exploding Cannonballs

Posted by michael on from the exothermic dept.

Planetes writes "There is a story on MSNBC about some surprise archaeology. Apparently, cannonballs from shipwrecks are "exploding" (more like heating up and cracking open) when they are exposed to air. At least one reacted so violently it reached several hundred degrees. Talk about a booby trap. I'd never have seen this one coming." Heat from oxidation (that's "rusting", if you haven't taken chemistry) has started many fires in cargo ships carrying iron.

1 of 32 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Great Balls of Fire!! by 1WingedAngel · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Also, you can use them to power the next coconut radio The Professor makes. Or just half-submerge them in a small lake for your own private hot tub with Ginger and Mary Ann.

    TIm