Physics students (sort of) learn how to throw a fireball

Sometimes I can't help but think that scientists have way too much time on their hands. Especially three physics students from the University of Leicester, who have been investigating how an ordinary human being might throw a fireball without any additional source of combustion. The solution is simple - just hurl a gasoline soaked volleyball at a constant speed of 93mph or higher. The viscous drag forces would ignite the gasoline and hey presto, fireball.

Picture credit: Nintendo

The slight problem is that the fastest recorded volleyball throw is 66mph, and the ball would start to slow as soon as it left the hand. This would make igniting the ball impossible for an unaided human, which is presumably a relief considering the proximity of the thrower's gasoline soaked hands. Besides, I'm still holding out for someone discovering how to set things on fire by glaring at them...

Source: Escapist Magazine