The new Las Vegas hotel, the Vdara, is covered in reflective glass and shaped like a parabola. In case you don't recall your high school geometry classes, a parabola is perfect for focussing parallel light rays. What this means in the Las Vegas sun is that the hotel concentrates sunlight into a 10 foot by 15 foot "Death Ray"--a hot spot that singes the hair of those sitting next to the pool. The Death Ray has melted plastic and it is just a matter of time before a drunk hotel guest falls asleep next to the pool and wakes up with 3rd degree burns.
But don't take my word for it. Here is Katie Couric:
Maybe they could turn it into a science experiment/demonstration.
ReplyDeleteOr how about using it to demonstrate the value of solar power? There are plenty of rays in Las VEgas.