This article will teach you how to light a small fire with a magnifying glass. Make sure the fire doesn't get out of hand!
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Standard Magnifying Glass
Step 1. Get a bait like a sheet of newspaper
Step 2. Choose a location where the fire cannot burn anything other than the bait
Suitable places include a concrete sidewalk, earth without any vegetation, a stone chimney, etc.
Step 3. Take a small piece of dry wood and place the edge of the sheet on the edge of the wood
Step 4. Hold the magnifying glass between the sun and the newspaper to reveal a small bright spot
Adjust the lens to make the spot as small as possible. The point must be a very small circle, or the operation will take a long time.
Step 5. Be patient
It can take 4-9 hours to get a flame (but it can take seconds if the sun is strong enough).
Step 6. Turn off the heat as soon as it moves from where it started
You can step on it with your shoes or pour water over it.
Step 7. Make sure the area that caught fire is not hot enough to burn someone or ignite again
Method 2 of 2: Flat Magnifier
Step 1. Use a flat magnifying glass
This type of lens is as large and square as a sheet of paper. While they don't zoom in much, the large surface area makes them efficient (concentrates more solar energy on the target).
Step 2. Concentrate the lens in the smallest possible spot
The focused image will be rectangular rather than round, so try your best to reduce the focal point.
Step 3. Notice that one side of the lens is convex and the other is smooth
The method will work best if you keep the smooth side towards the target.
Step 4. Pay attention to the view
This large lens will produce an extremely bright area (much more than a traditional 5cm round lens). Therefore Not stare at the point of light.
Step 5. Concentrate the light until you start the fire
Then follow the steps described in the previous method to turn it off.
Advice
- Black paper absorbs the heat of sunlight better.
- Keep some water nearby in case of an emergency.
- You can also use leaves, grass, and thin cloths.
- You can make a lens that can start a fire out of clear ice by melting one side on the palm of your hand to make it look like a lens.
- Try popping balloons with your lens.
- Stay a safe distance from the fire when you're done.
Warnings
- If you have a larger lens, avoid looking at the spot you are heating on the bait, or you risk permanent retinal damage!
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the rays.
- After putting out the fire, if it still smokes, step on it until the smoke goes out.
- Don't set your house on fire.
- Make sure you don't burn yourself.
- Don't hold the lens so you get burned!
- Whatever you do, wear sunglasses if you look at the focal point of the lens.
- Don't look at the sun with your magnifying glass.
