3 ms·
Since two chains of carbine coming in contact would explode, should the activation barrier be crossed, does this mean we can only use one chain at a time...i.e.
by oh_teh_meows 13y ago
Since two chains of carbine coming in contact would explode, should the activation barrier be crossed, does this mean we can only use one chain at a time...i.e. no stringing together multiple chains to make something like say...the cable for a space elevator?
- ars 13y agoUnless we can keep it cold. An "activation barrier" is just another way of saying you need to heat it to make it burn. Or in other words: It's flammable, and the ignition temperature is right around room temperature.
- oh_teh_meows 13y agoSo we might need some sort of active cooling mechanism, considering how a space elevator cable, afaik, has to be anchored near the equator, which is typically hotter than room temperature? What if the cooling fails? I don't know much about QM or the chemistry of carbynes, but is it possible for some electrons to spontaneously jump over the activation barrier (despite being cooled) and start off some chain reaction that could jeopardize the entire space elevator cable?
- ars 13y ago> but is it possible for some electrons to spontaneously jump over the activation barrier (despite being cooled) and start off some chain reaction Probably not, because if they could then ordinary things would spontaneously catch fire too. (Maybe they do??)