paper.py

#!/usr/bin/env python

"""
Folding paper in half 50 times is 3/4 of the distance from earth to sun

From:
http://www.quora.com/What-are-some-of-the-most-mind-blowing-facts#answer_526501

Thickness of a sheet of paper: 0.1 mm (~0.004 inches)

"""


AU = 149597870700


def fold(num_folds=50, thickness=1E-4):
    """Simulate folding a sheet of paper in half.

    ``num_folds`` is the number of times we'll fold the paper in half.
    ``thickness`` is the the thickness of a sheet of paper in meters.

    """

    for i in range(1, num_folds + 1):
        thickness *= 2

        fmt_string = '{n:2} folds, thickness = {thickness:E} m = {au:f} AU'
        print(fmt_string.format(n=i, thickness=thickness, au=thickness / AU))


def main():
    n = int(input("How many folds? "))
    fold(n)


if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()

Will the piece of paper (or should I say block of paper) burn? And it can be heavier than Mercury. I am thinking too much to this 50-fold paper.