Difference between combustible substance and a supporter of combustion

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the distinction between combustible substances and supporters of combustion, exploring definitions and examples from chemistry. It includes informal exchanges and speculative thought experiments related to combustion processes.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that a combustible substance is something that burns, while a supporter of combustion is an oxidizer, such as O2.
  • One participant suggests that the oxidizer is the combustible substance and the one that gets reduced is the supporter of combustion, indicating a potential misunderstanding or alternative interpretation.
  • A thought experiment is introduced involving a room filled with pure methane and a Bunsen burner fed with compressed air, questioning whether this setup could boil water over an air flame.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definitions and roles of combustible substances and supporters of combustion, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing interpretations.

Contextual Notes

Some definitions may depend on specific contexts or interpretations, and there is a lack of consensus on the terminology used in combustion chemistry.

americast
Messages
27
Reaction score
0
This is driving me insane:-----

What is the difference between a combustible substance and a supporter of combustion?

Thanx in advance...
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
A combustible substance is something that burns a supporter of combustion is an oxidizer like O2.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 1 person
Traxfam said:
A combustible substance is something that burns a supporter of combustion is an oxidizer like O2.

Thanx... I had already got the answer from a chemistry forum. Physics forums was a little too late... :D
 
So what did you find? I'm always interested in unimportant chemistry trivia.
 
The same thing, the one that oxidises is the combustible substance and the one that gets reduced in the supporter of combustion. I don't think its unimportant. None of my books could explain this simple thing...
 
An interesting demonstration would be to reverse the normal combustion arrangement.

A thought experiment only...don't try it in real life.

Have a room filled with pure methane or natural gas, and introduce into it a Bunsen burner fed with no gas but just compressed air. Light the Bunsen with an electric spark, and see whether you can boil a beaker of water over this air flame.
 

Similar threads

Can Combustion Synthesis on LiNO3 Produce Lithium Oxide Li2O?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Heat of combustión of a mixture of two substances?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
6K
CO Combustion Reaction: What's the Chemical Reaction?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
How Can I Store Methane Produced from CO2 and Water Without Combustion?
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
4K
Non-combustible exothermic oxidation of a Hydrocarbon
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Chemistry Does Combusting Different Amounts of Propane Change Final Temperature?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Automotive Ozone Enhanced Combustion of Water/Diesel Emulsion in CI Engines
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Turbogenerator electricity output and combustible quantity
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Chemical Composition & Combustion of Hydrocarbon Fuel
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
How can I calculate heat of combustion and enthalpy using Hess's Law?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K