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Message: <blockquote data-quote="MarauderX" data-source="post: 992388" data-attributes="member: 9990">Again, my point is that the cup does not catch fire because of it's absorptivity, and has nothing to do with heat transfer and everything to do with the properties of flammability of the contents.  A paper cup holds water how?  Once filled, water molecules soak into the fibers of the paper, and the paper expands slightly, sealing in water better than if it contracted.  If you let the paper cup sit for hours you will see the cup leaking.  No, it is not condensation, and you can try it with room temperature water.  What is happening with the cup under the bunsen burner then?  The heat is being transferred to the water via conductance and radiance, yes; but by no means does this have anything to do with the flammability of the cup but the flammability of the water in the paper fibers, of which happens to be nil.  If you boiled the water in the cup, the cup will still not ignite.  If you sealed the cup and produced steam in the cup, the heat will drive the steam upwards until the bottom is dry enough for the fire to catch.  "Dude, you are so wrong!  I saw it happen, man, I was there!"That's great, I'm sure it did, and perhaps that's the logic of your teacher, but I'm glad I studied the mechanics of materials and heat transfer a little better than him/her.  Next time, ask your teacher to fill a cheap plastic container (not heat resistant) with water and try the same trick.  The water may prevent the plastic from getting hot for a little bit, but the plastic will certainly melt before the water boils.  Why didn't the water absorb the heat then?edit:  Sorry, don't mean to hijack the thread, but I feel like I have to defend RL physics a bit.</blockquote>

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