Combustion and Flame– 3

Why does cooking oil catch fire if a frying pan is kept on the burning stove for a long time?

Answer explanation

Ans. Cooking oil catch fire if a frying pan is kept on the burning stove for a long time because the cooking oil gets heated to its ignition temperature when kept over a burning stove for a long time.

What chemicals can put out a fire?

Answer explanation

Ans. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the best extinguisher. Another way to get CO2 is to release a lot of dry powder of chemicals like sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) or potassium bicarbonate. Near the fire, these chemicals give off CO2.

Why do you have to use paper or kerosene oil to start fire in wood or coal?

Answer explanation

Ans. Wood or coal has a high ignition temperature, so a wood or coal fire cannot be started by using a lighted matchstick directly. Thus, we use paper or kerosene oil to start fire in wood or coal.

Explain why we are advised not to sleep in a closed room with a coal fire burning.

Or

Why is it not advisable to sleep in a closed room with burning coal in the fireplace during winters?

Answer explanation

Ans. Incomplete combustion of fuels gives carbon monoxide gas. It is a very poisonous gas. It is dangerous to burn coal in a closed room. The carbon monoxide gas produced can kill persons sleeping in that room.

Paper by itself catches fire easily whereas a piece of paper wrapped around an aluminium pipe does not. Give reason.

Answer explanation

Ans. The heat supplied to the paper is transferred to aluminium pipe by conduction. So, in the presence of aluminium pipe, the ignition temperature of paper is not reached. Hence, it does not burn.

How is fire caused by electricity extinguished?

Answer explanation

Ans. For fires involving electrical equipment, carbon dioxide (CO2) is the best extinguisher. CO2, being heavier than oxygen, covers the fire like a blanket. Since the contact between the fuel and oxygen is cut off, the fire is controlled.

What are inflammable substances? Give examples.

Answer explanation

Ans. The substances which have very low ignition temperature and can easily catch fire with a flame are called inflammable substances. Examples of inflammable substances are petrol, alcohol, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), etc.

Which zone of a flame does a goldsmith use for melting gold and silver and why?

Answer explanation

Ans. Goldsmith use the outermost zone of the flame for melting gold and silver because in the outermost zone (or non-luminous zone) of a flame, complete combustion of the fuel takes place and is the hottest part of the flame.

What is the colour of the different zones of a flame?

Answer explanation

Ans. A flame consists of three zones.

The innermost zone of a flame is dark (or black)

The middle zone of a flame is yellow.

The outer zone of a flame is blue.

It is difficult to burn a heap of green leaves but dry leaves catch fire easily. Explain.

Answer explanation

Ans. It is difficult to burn a heap of green leaves because it contains a lot of moisture and hence its ignition temperature is high. But dry leaves catch fire easily because it contains no moisture and hence its ignition temperature is low.