Spinning Flames and Excitable Mediums: Exploring the Bizarre Phenomenon

🔥The spinning flames are created by an excitable medium, such as the vapor of lighter fluid, which has the potential to be on fire.

🌀The flame goes round and round in a continuous loop due to the refractory time of the excitable medium, allowing new vapor to be ignited.

🌐The phenomenon of spinning flames can be observed in various systems, including forest fires, cellular automata, and even Mexican waves in sports stadiums.

🧪By varying the design of the trough, such as the width and size of the opening, different flame behaviors can be achieved.

🤔Further research and experimentation are needed to fully understand the dynamics of excitable mediums and the behavior of spinning flames.

What is an excitable medium?

—An excitable medium is a system that has the potential to switch to an excited state, such as the vapor of lighter fluid in the case of spinning flames. It exhibits characteristics such as a refractory time and the ability to be excited by neighboring parts of the medium.

How do spinning flames occur?

—Spinning flames occur when lighter fluid is poured into a ring-shaped trough and ignited. The excitable medium, which is the vapor of the lighter fluid, forms a continuous ring of flames that go round and round due to the evaporation and ignition process.

Can the design of the trough affect the behavior of spinning flames?

—Yes, the design of the trough can affect the behavior of spinning flames. Factors such as the width of the trough, size of the opening, and angle of the opening can influence the stability, duration, and movement patterns of the flames.

Are spinning flames found in other natural or man-made systems?

—Yes, spinning flames can be observed in various systems. Examples include forest fires, cellular automata, Mexican waves in sports stadiums, and even the collapsing bubbles on the surface of hot chocolate.

What are the implications of studying spinning flames and excitable mediums?

—Studying spinning flames and excitable mediums can provide insights into complex phenomena and behaviors in other fields. It can help researchers understand natural processes, develop new technologies, and explore the dynamics of interconnected systems.

00:00(upbeat jazz music) In this video, we explore the phenomenon of spinning flames, which occur when lighter fluid is poured into a ring-shaped trough and ignited. The spinning flames are created by an excitable medium, such as the vapor of lighter fluid, which has the potential to be on fire. The flame goes round and round in a continuous loop due to the refractory time of the excitable medium, allowing new vapor to be ignited. This phenomenon can be observed in various systems, including forest fires, cellular automata, and even Mexican waves in sports stadiums. By varying the design of the trough, different flame behaviors can be achieved. Further research and experimentation are needed to fully understand the dynamics of excitable mediums and the behavior of spinning flames.

03:15The vapor of lighter fluid above a thin pool forms a continuous ring of flames that go round and round. The flame is sustained by the evaporation and ignition process, creating a spinning flame effect.

06:11Spinning flames are an example of an excitable medium, which is a system that has the potential to switch to an excited state. The characteristics of an excitable medium include a refractory time and the ability to be excited by neighboring parts of the medium.

09:56Spinning flames can be observed in various systems, such as forest fires, cellular automata, Mexican waves in sports stadiums, and even the collapsing bubbles on the surface of hot chocolate. These systems exhibit similar behaviors to spinning flames due to the presence of excitable mediums.