Ep 7. Fire Sword

In the seventh episode of Street Science season 2, titled "Fire Sword," host Kevin Delaney and his team of scientists and engineers set out to create a fiery sword that can cut through metal. Inspired by mythological tales of legendary swords like Excalibur, the team begins their experiment by designing and constructing a sword that can withstand the extreme heat produced by a propane torch.

To create their Fire Sword, the team enlists the help of master blacksmith Bryce Hanes. Using traditional blacksmithing techniques, Bryce forges the blade of the sword by heating a piece of metal to over 2000 degrees Fahrenheit and hammering it into shape. Once the blade is cooled and sharpened, the team moves on to the next step in the process: adding fuel to make the sword burn.

To make the Fire Sword truly unique, the team decides to add a special fuel mixture that will allow the sword to burn with various colors. To create this custom fuel, they mix together a variety of chemicals and dyes, including copper sulfate and potassium chloride. The resulting mixture produces a bright green flame when ignited, giving the Fire Sword a unique and mystical appearance.

With the sword complete, it's time to take it for a test spin. The team sets up a variety of targets, including metal bars and even a car hood, to see if the Fire Sword can cut through them. Kevin suits up in a special fire-resistant suit and helmet before taking on the challenge of wielding the flaming sword.

After a few initial attempts, Kevin discovers that the Fire Sword is indeed powerful enough to cut through metal, leaving a trail of sparks and flames in its wake. The team is thrilled with their success and the Fire Sword proves to be a hit with the audience as well.

As the episode comes to a close, Kevin reflects on the science behind the Fire Sword, discussing the chemical reactions that occur when the sword is ignited and the physics of how it is able to cut through metal. He concludes by noting that while the Fire Sword may be a modern-day creation, it still carries with it the same sense of wonder and awe as the legendary swords of old.