Does Oxygen Burn?

[Byron In Exile]

Surprisingly enough, many people think so.

Something I find fun to do (YMMV) is to keep a book of matches in my pocket, and ask people this question. If they answer in the affirmative, I produce the book, pull out one match, hold it before them, and intone in a solemn but commanding voice, "Then prepare to die!"

 

[thør]

It certainly helps things burn.

 

[Byron In Exile]

It certainly helps things burn.

You have to know which question to ask or it doesn't work, obviously.

 

[clutch1]

Yes it is flammable.

 

[JohnnySavage]

Some might call it an oxidizer

 

[CaudaLinea]

Are you going to diagram molecules for us on the white board, now?

 

[Byron In Exile]

Yes it is flammable.

Then prepare to die! When I strike this match, it will ignite the oxygen in the atmosphere and the entire earth will be engulfed in flames.

 

[thør]

Yes it is flammable.

Non-flammable.....

 

[Byron In Exile]

Are you going to diagram molecules for us on the white board, now?

Only for the cute girls that want to stay after school for extra credit.

*hint hint*

 

[CaudaLinea]

Only for the cute girls that want to stay after school for extra credit.

*hint hint*

I knew wearing that school girl outfit with the nerd glasses would pay off.

 

[thør]

I knew wearing that school girl outfit with the nerd glasses would pay off.

Plaid skirt?

 

[Byron In Exile]

I knew wearing that school girl outfit with the nerd glasses would pay off.

And we must never forget the importance of discipline in the classroom...

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n307/byroninexile/nl/1975pb.jpg

 

[CaudaLinea]

The hand is so much more effective than the slide ruler.

 

[CHNOPS]

Yes it is flammable.

No it's not! But that doesn't make it a bad person.

 

[CHNOPS]

Shit, perhaps I should have read the rest of the thread first.

 

[thør]

The hand is so much more effective than the slide ruler.

The slip stick leaves unique marks.

 

[1sickbastard]

Surprisingly enough, many people think so.

Something I find fun to do (YMMV) is to keep a book of matches in my pocket, and ask people this question. If they answer in the affirmative, I produce the book, pull out one match, hold it before them, and intone in a solemn but commanding voice, "Then prepare to die!"

It doesn't burn, it reacts. If one has a pure oxygen environment then is nothing for it to react with. It needs atoms and/or molecules of compatible valences.

In this way oxygen burning is rather like water conducting electricity. Pure water is non-conductive, water with impurities can be highly conductive.

 

[Batch]

Then prepare to die! When I strike this match, it will ignite the oxygen in the atmosphere and the entire earth will be engulfed in flames.

Oh man, don't do it. Really. Srsly.

 

[Byron In Exile]

It doesn't burn, it reacts. If one has a pure oxygen environment then is nothing for it to react with. It needs atoms and/or molecules of compatible valences.

In this way oxygen burning is rather like water conducting electricity. Pure water is non-conductive, water with impurities can be highly conductive.

http://buscadesentidos.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/orly.jpg

 

[bronzeage]

Then prepare to die! When I strike this match, it will ignite the oxygen in the atmosphere and the entire earth will be engulfed in flames.

Ask Gus Grissom, Ed White or Roger Chaffee.

Oh no, you can't. They died when the oxygen atmosphere in the command module ignited.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Then prepare to die! When I strike this match, it will ignite the oxygen in the atmosphere and the entire earth will be engulfed in flames.

Your match wont burn without oxygen.

 

[thør]

Still, the MSDS says Non-Flammable gas. But it has to be placarded as an oxidizer.

Dumb-asses cutting in hot climates die every year when they turn of the fuel gas and blow O2 under their clothes to cool themselves. Sometimes it works, and sometimes their clothes oxide very quickly and there's a funeral and a new safety bulletin.

 

[Bert Notorius]

Then prepare to die! When I strike this match, it will ignite the oxygen in the atmosphere and the entire earth will be engulfed in flames.

mostly nitrogen

 

[phrodeau]

Tell that to a plant.

 

[Saint Peter]

Is toothpaste a solid or a liquid?