Applying basic thermodynamics: An analytical approach to understanding Greek fire

CHED 417

Luke D. Dye, ldye@ferrum.edu and Jason D. Powell, jpowell@ferrum.edu. School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ferrum College, 80 Wiley Drive, Ferrum, VA 24088
One of the first recorded chemical weapons used was a substance named "Greek fire." The precise formula for this mixture is unknown; however in what recipes exist the reagents of sulfur, naphtha and quicklime are consistently included. Greek fire is reported to have been inextinguishable by water and would spontaneously ignite in the presence of water. Our research was to investigate the probability of truth in these claims and come to a plausible explanation as to the mechanism of Greek fire. Within our research, we did various experiments with different mixtures of the above reagents, worked on the thermodynamic chemistry of reactions involved and did an exhaustive study on this history of the weapon itself.