Revisiting Archimedes' Death Ray: A Middle Schooler's Intriguing Science Project

Sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter to discover news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements, and more.

Archimedes, often referred to as the father of mathematics, was a renowned inventor in ancient Greece, with many of his ideas and principles still being utilized today.

For hundreds of years, scientists have been intrigued by the possibility of a death ray. This mythical device has sparked curiosity and speculation among experts. However, a 13-year-old middle schooler from London, Ontario, might have some answers.

Brenden Sener, a young inventor, has gained recognition for his miniature version of the death ray. He has received two gold medals and a London Public Library award for his creation. This supposed war weapon is said to be made up of a large array of mirrors that can focus and aim sunlight on a target, potentially causing combustion. His achievements were highlighted in a paper published in the January issue of the Canadian Science Fair Journal.

Photo of Herculaneum scroll with red laser stripes

Photo of Herculaneum scroll with red laser stripes

EduceLab/University of Kentucky

Related article

Sener has been fascinated by the Greek polymath ever since he first heard about him while on a family vacation in Greece. For his science project in 2022, Sener decided to recreate the Archimedes screw, a device used for raising and moving water. But he didn't just stop there.

Sener found the death ray, also known as the heat ray, to be a fascinating device. According to historical writings, Archimedes supposedly used "burning mirrors" to set anchored ships on fire during the siege of Syracuse from 214 to 212 BC.

"Archimedes was truly ahead of his time with his inventions," Sener remarked. "It revolutionized technology back then because he was thinking about things that no one had ever considered before. The concept of the death ray was so innovative that no one in that era would have even imagined it."

There is no archaeological evidence to prove the existence of the contraption, as mentioned by Sener in his paper. However, many people have attempted to reconstruct the mechanism to determine if the ancient invention could actually work.

Some refer to it as a miniature death ray.

Sener conducted an experiment for the 2023 Matthews Hall Annual Science Fair. He set up a heating lamp and four small concave mirrors, each tilted to direct light at a piece of cardboard with an X marked at the focal point. His hypothesis was that adding mirrors would increase the temperature of the target as they focused light energy onto the cardboard.

Sener performed three trials using two different light bulb wattages: 50 watts and 100 watts. He observed that with each additional mirror, the temperature of the target notably increased.

Sener shared, "I wasn't sure how the results would turn out because there are many possible outcomes with this topic. However, I did anticipate some heat increases, but the actual results were more extreme than I had expected."

The temperature of the cardboard reached around 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27.2 degrees Celsius) when only the heating lamp and 100-watt light bulb were used, with no mirrors involved. After allowing the cardboard to cool down, Sener introduced one mirror into the setup and repeated the test. He discovered that the focal point's temperature rose to nearly 95 F (34.9 C).

The temperature rose significantly when the fourth mirror was added. Initially, with three mirrors, the temperature was around 110 F (43.4 C). However, adding a fourth mirror increased it by approximately 18 F (10 C) to 128 F (53.5 C).

In his paper, Sener expressed his amazement at these findings. He noted that the results indicated light was dispersing in all directions and the concave mirror's shape effectively concentrated the light waves onto a single focal point.

Sener arranged a heating lamp so that it faced four small concave mirrors. Each mirror was tilted to reflect light onto a piece of cardboard with an X marked at the focal point. This setup was expected to increase the temperature at that specific spot.

Sener set up a heating lamp facing four small concave mirrors, each tilted to direct light at a piece of cardboard with an X marked at the focal point where the temperature was expected to increase.

Melanie Sener was praised by Cliff Ho, a senior scientist at Sandia National Laboratories, for her insights into Archimedes' death ray. Sandia National Laboratories is an engineering and science laboratory affiliated with the US Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Ho described Sener's project as "an excellent evaluation of the fundamental processes."

While the experiment did not introduce any groundbreaking information to the scientific community, it did serve as a positive confirmation of the first law of thermodynamics. This law states that energy or heat can be transferred, as mentioned by Ho. In 2014, a scientist proposed a conference on the concept of the death ray, suggesting that while the idea was feasible, it would have been challenging for Archimedes to execute.

Sener clarified that he was not attempting to ignite any objects, emphasizing that a heating lamp does not produce heat equivalent to that of the sun. However, he expressed his belief that utilizing the sun's rays along with a larger mirror could lead to a significant and rapid increase in temperature. This heightened temperature, according to Sener, could easily result in combustion.

More theories on the death ray

Every two years, the Olympic torch is lit using a curved parabolic mirror that focuses sunlight into one spot. This concentrated sunlight then ignites the torch. Some believe that Archimedes may have used a single parabolic mirror for a similar purpose, although it may not have been as easy to aim as a flat mirror.

Archimedes’ death ray is often thought to have been a setup of mirrors or polished shields. However, this idea is often questioned because ships would be moving during battle. Thomas Chondros, a retired associate professor from Greece’s University of Patras, explained that for the ships to catch fire from the heat of the mirrors, they would have needed to be still and anchored near the shore. Chondros has done extensive research on Archimedes and his creations.

The TV show "MythBusters" aired episodes in 2004, 2006, and 2010 where they tested out different scenarios for the supposed death ray. However, after each test failed to set a wooden boat on fire, the show concluded that the legend was just a myth. In 2005, a group of students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology tried to replicate the experiment from the show's first episode. They managed to ignite a wooden boat once using a technique similar to Sener’s but were unsuccessful on their second attempt.

Sener believes that by combining MIT's findings with his own, the data could indicate that the death ray was possible. He suggests that Archimedes might have been able to use large mirrors to harness the sun's rays for combustion. However, Sener points out in his paper that this technology may not be effective in cold or cloudy weather. Additionally, he mentions that the movement of the sea could impact the practicality of using this device on ships.

Roman head of Mercury found at Smallhythe

Roman head of Mercury found at Smallhythe

James Dobson/National Trust Images

Related article

Discovery of a rare ceramic head reveals a previously unknown Roman settlement

Chondros found Sener's project to be "interesting and well documented," despite the limitations for the practicality of the death ray. He mentioned in an email that the teen's experimental setup could "form the base of a discussion for young students, even University students."

Sener's mom, Melanie, was not surprised by her son's choice in science project. She mentioned that he has always been fascinated with history, science, and nature. According to her, he has always had a thirst for any form of education and knowledge.

Sener could see himself one day being a scientist, whether it be in engineering, bioengineering or medicine, he said.

Editor's P/S:

The article presents a fascinating exploration into the possibility of Archimedes' death ray, sparked by the invention of a 13-year-old middle schooler. Brenden Sener's miniature version of the death ray, which focuses sunlight to cause combustion, raises intriguing questions about the potential of ancient technology. The article highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the feasibility of such a weapon, with experts weighing in on the practicality and historical evidence.

Sener's project not only demonstrates the ingenuity of young minds but also underscores the enduring legacy of Archimedes as a pioneering inventor. The article emphasizes the importance of scientific inquiry and experimentation, encouraging readers to question assumptions and explore the boundaries of human knowledge. By showcasing Sener's work alongside the perspectives of scientists and historians, the article provides a well-rounded view of the topic, inviting readers to delve deeper into the intriguing world of ancient inventions and the mysteries they hold. possible that we may gain a better understanding of the technological advancements of the ancient world and the potential implications of harnessing the sun's energy for practical purposes.