Each of us boiled water on the gas or electric stove in a teapot. But sometimes there are cases, for example, in a campaign when there is no place to get gas or electricity. Here then many have thoughts of the embodiment in life of the most unexpected experiments. If near at hand only the spirit-lamp, arises a question at once and whether it is possible to boil on it a water bucket?
If to understand from the physical point of view, then in order that water began to boil, it is necessary to warm it to 100 degrees Celsius. At the same time by means of a spirit-lamp it is possible to boil the small volume of water, for example, to a circle. As for the whole bucket of water is a controversial issue.
The amount of heat which will be transferred to water from a spirit-lamp flame so is not enough that even the bucket will not be able to heat up, at the same time a considerable part of heat will be transferred to the environment. Therefore cooling of a surface happens much quicker, than its heating. Besides, fire from a spirit-lamp will spread to the small area of a bucket. From it all bucket will not be able to get warm, and water in it will not begin to boil.
Many consider that it is all about amount of alcohol, but it is not the truth. The possibility of boiling of a bucket of water on a spirit-lamp will depend on the power of the heating device. And, before heating water, it is necessary to provide compensation of heatlosses. It is connected with the fact that the bucket represents the big surface of heat exchange with the external environment. Therefore if it is necessary to boil a water bucket, wind it with asbestos or other heat-insulating material (cotton wool, polyfoam). Close a bucket a cover with thermal insulation. Thus, losses of heat will be minimum. Besides, it is necessary to stock up with a large amount of alcohol by means of feed from additional capacity by the principle of communicating vessels. And to wait not for 15 minutes, and several hours. Experts offer one more option of heating of a bucket of water by means of a spirit-lamp. The match of the heating device needs to be made thick, and a vessel which contains alcohol – capacious. Then it is possible to provide a big flame and water will begin to boil even without preliminary thermal insulation. This option is not rational therefore if it is necessary to heat urgently a water bucket, then on a spirit-lamp it cannot be made.