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None of them ELI5, as I’ve originally asked. I’d love an ELI5 perspective. Thank you.
by mannanj 5y ago
None of them ELI5, as I’ve originally asked. I’d love an ELI5 perspective. Thank you.
- deadbunny 5y agoELI5: While jet fuel doesn't burn hot enough to melt steel you don't need to melt it to weaken it.
- mannanj 5y agoSucks that my question was downvoted, as this was such a great response and will now be buried.
- _game_of_life 5y agoThis is the best guide I’ve found: https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/a50/1230517/ https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/a50/1230517/ Goes into depth debunking most of the conspiracies I've heard of. My best ELI5 for the one you are asking about: Does a bar of chocolate need to melt completely into a puddle of liquid before it changes shape and becomes softer? Of course not. The chocolate bar will become mushy and deform before it becomes a liquid. Jet fuel burns at 800 - 1500 F, whereas steel melts at 2750. But just like chocolate on a warm day, it loses its strength at much lower temperatures. By 1500 degrees steel is at less than half of its strength. Have you ever wondered how ancient civilizations managed to melt metals, or create ceramics? After all, they didn't have jet fuel yet! Well, when some kilns use wood as a fuel source, they can burn at up to 2000 F! Wow! Isn't combustion neat? The WTC was full of flammable materials like wood, plastic, rubber, and cloth. Jet fuel burns at 1500, but just like a wood kiln, other sources of combustion can make things much hotter. TL;DR - You don't need to heat something to the point of being a puddle of liquid to weaken it.
- mannanj 5y agoThis was a great explanation. Thank you very much!