CHAPTER 6
COMBUSTION AND FLAME
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. Define ignition temperature.
Ans: The minimum temperature at which a combustible substance catches fire is called its
ignition temperature.
2. What are the conditions necessary for combustion?
Ans: The conditions necessary for combustion are
1) Presence of a combustible substance
2) Presence of supporter of combustion
3) Ignition temperature
3. Name the solid fuel which does not produce flame.
Ans: Coal
4. Why is Hydrogen not used as domestic fuel?
Ans: 1) It is highly combustible and forms an explosive mixture with air.
2) It is difficult to store and transport hydrogen because it has a very low ignition
temperature.
3) It is a very expensive fuel because of its high cost of production.
5. Write four characteristics of an ideal fuel.
Ans:1) It should have a high calorific value.
2) It should not cause pollution.
3) It should have a proper ignition temperature i.e. neither very low nor very high.
4) It should not leave ash after burning.
6. Which zone of candle flame gives us light?
Ans: Luminous flame (yellow).
7. Can a substance catch fire below its ignition temperature?
Ans: No, a substance cannot catch fire below its ignition temperature.
8. The blue flame at the bottom of a candle flame is due to the burning of what substance?
Ans: Carbon Monoxide (CO).
9. What are the harmful effects of combustion of fuels?
Ans: 1) Burning of fossil fuels produce carbon dioxide in atmosphere. Carbon dioxide gas
absorbs infrared radiation emitted by the sun and leads to excessive heating of the earth’s
atmosphere, which affects all the life on earth. This is called green house effect. This causes
the average temperature of earth to rise which is called global warming.
2) Burning fossil fuels produce unburnt hydrocarbons as smoke which are health hazards.
3) When fossil fuel burns in insufficient supply of air, carbon monoxide gas is produced
which is poisonous gas. When we inhale air, carbon monoxide combines with haemoglobin
and forms carboxyhaemoglobin. This compound prevents blood to transport oxygen to the
body, causing suffocation and finally death.
10. What precautions should we take to prevent incomplete combustion of fuel?
Ans: 1) Leave proper gaps between logs of wood, so that sufficient air reaches them for their
complete combustion.
2) Use grate for holding the burning solid fuels. Grate is a frame of parallel iron bars
for holding the burning fuel. It allows the free movement of air and keeps the solid fuel away
from ash.
3) Use wick stove for gaseous fuel combustion. The wick stove has a perforated sheet
around the wick that supplies fresh air continuously for complete combustion.
4) In gaseous fuels like CNG, LPG, the stove has holes for constant supply of air.
11. Distinguish between complete combustion and incomplete combustion?
Ans:
Complete combustion Incomplete combustion
1. The fuels such as coal and petroleum The fuels are burnt in insufficient amount
products are burnt in the presence of of oxygen or air.
excess of air or oxygen.
2. Carbon dioxide is produced with Smoke and carbon monoxide are produced
heat and light. along with carbon dioxide.
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. Make a labelled diagram of a candle flame. Explain its different zones.
Ans: Reader figure 6.6
Candle wax is a mixture of solid hydrocarbons. When it is lighted, the wax melts, rises up in
the wick and gets converted into vapours.
Non- luminous zone: In this zone, complete combustion of wax hydrocarbons take place
due to sufficient air around it. This is the hottest zone in the candle flame. This is also
called blue zone.
Luminous zone: This part of candle flame is yellow, bright and luminous. It contains free
hot carbon particles formed due to the incomplete combustion of wax hydrocarbon. This
zone is hotter than the innermost zone but less hot than the outer zone.
Dark zone: This zone is just next to the wick. It is of black colour due to the presence of
unburnt vapours of wax and carbon particles. This zone is the least hot part of the candle.
This is also called the black zone.
2. What are the characteristics of a good fuel?
Ans: Characteristics of a good fuel
1. It should have a high calorific value.
2. It should not cause pollution
3. It should have a proper ignition temperature.
4. It should be cheap and easily available.
5. It should be easy to handle and safe to transport
6. It should not leave ash after burning
7. It should have a moderate rate of burning.
3. Explain the methods that are used to extinguish a fire.
Ans: To extinguish fire these different methods are used.
The three conditions necessary for burning are (i) Presence of a combustible substance (ii)
presence of a supporter of combustion and (iii) attainment of ignition temperature. By
removing any one of them, fire can be extinguished.
For example, in forest fire, the fire in wood can be extinguished by pouring water from
helicopter or by creating artificial or chemical rain.
When a person catches fire, he should be wrapped in a blanket. This cuts off air supply and fire
extinguishes.
When fire is caused due to short circuit of electricity, it cannot be extinguished by water and a
person extinguishing fire may get shocked.
Fire by gas cylinder, oil and short circuit of electricity can be extinguished by spraying carbon
dioxide gas, which is a non-supporter of combustion. It can be produced from a portable device
called fire extinguisher.
4. Write the mechanism of burning of a matchstick.
Ans: A matchstick does not catch fire on its own at room temperature because the ignition
temperature of matchstick is much larger than the room temperature. The matchstick starts
burning on rubbing it on the rough side provided on the matchstick. It is because the heat
produced by friction rises the temperature of the chemical at the head of the matchstick to its
ignition temperature and makes it burn.
5. Gaseous fuels have a few advantages over solid fuels. Explain.
Ans: The fuels that are in gaseous state at room temperature are called gaseous fuels.
Examples are CNG, LPG, biogas.
Gaseous fuels have higher calorific value.
Gaseous fuels have lower ignition temperature.
It produces less ash or residue after burning.
Gaseous fuels, like CNG and LPG can be easily transported through pipelines or stored in a
pressurized container. Solid fuel like coal requires bulk transport and manual handling