the fires they had were probably not hot enough to melt sand into glass without some additives.
Instead, it’s a fine particulate that can be heated way hotter than water, and because the grains are small enough they will disperse over a large area causing burns to people in a large area below
Imagine that at or near the temperature of boiling water.
Sand retains heat pretty well, flows quickly, and is a bitch to get out. Not only that, but it’s great at slipping in where its recipients wouldn’t want it - down the collar, under a mail shirt, through the visor of a helmet, you name it. You’ll be covered in serious burns, third-degree even, potentially, if you get caught under it, and sand is dirt-cheap.
What does sand do at these temperatures? Is it essentially molten glass?
the fires they had were probably not hot enough to melt sand into glass without some additives.
Instead, it’s a fine particulate that can be heated way hotter than water, and because the grains are small enough they will disperse over a large area causing burns to people in a large area below
And it’s much easier and cleaner to keep around. Hard to store water in a bag, after all
Ever get sand stuck in your clothes?
Imagine that at or near the temperature of boiling water.
Sand retains heat pretty well, flows quickly, and is a bitch to get out. Not only that, but it’s great at slipping in where its recipients wouldn’t want it - down the collar, under a mail shirt, through the visor of a helmet, you name it. You’ll be covered in serious burns, third-degree even, potentially, if you get caught under it, and sand is dirt-cheap.
That’s brilliant. I mean… awful, of course. But brilliant.