cutting glass in water

[jazzoff]

hi, guys. years ago, there was this friend of mine who said that we can't cut glass with an ordinary scissors in air, but we can in water. He tried cutting it in air; it didn't work. So he prepared a little tank (that kind of tank where you keep your turtles) and filled it 3/4 of tap water. Then he got a piece of glass (he claimed it was from a broken window) and immersed it in water. His other hand held on the scissors, submerged it in water, and started cutting it. But I wasn't sure if the cut was smooth or rough. Is it really possible that glass acn be cut in water?

[YT2095]

it doesn`t sound very likely to be honest, although glass is often cut or engraved under a stream of water, the purpose being that any dust or tiny splinters are carried away in that stream and not allowed to float about in the air where it can be inhaled and cause serious lung damage.

[1145climber]

yeah, doesnt sound likely. waterjet cutters are a whole different animal, using a thin stream if incredibly high pressurized water to cut through or etch glass or other materials. the glass your friend used probably wasnt glass, and instead maybe some sort of special clear material that he might have bought as a magic trick or something. yeah.

[Phi for All]

So he prepared a little tank (that kind of tank where you keep your turtles) and filled it 3/4 of tap water. Then he got a piece of glass (he claimed it was from a broken window) and immersed it in water[/b'].

Sounds like bait and switch magic. A piece of plexiglass could be substituted for the cut, while a pre-cut piece of glass is hidden under the plexi. Bringing his hand out of the water provides a distraction for dropping the plexi (which is practically invisible in water) so you can now check out the "cut" peice of glass. White pebbles at the bottom of the turtle tank would aid in the deception.

 

Water has no effect on glass in terms of making it more porous or soft enough to cut.

[jazzoff]

Thanks guys! You rock.

[NeonBlack]

It actually might have even been fake 'glass' made of sugar crystal.

[YT2095]

or the Silicone gell type used in Special effects, that stuff will cut perfectly in or out of water