Difference between combustible substance and a supporter of combustion

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the distinction between combustible substances and supporters of combustion. A combustible substance is defined as a material that burns, while a supporter of combustion, such as oxygen (O2), is an oxidizer that facilitates the burning process. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding these concepts in chemistry, with one participant expressing frustration over the lack of clarity in textbooks. Additionally, a thought experiment is proposed involving a room filled with methane and a Bunsen burner using only compressed air, suggesting a unique approach to exploring combustion dynamics, though it is advised not to attempt this in reality.
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 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.
 

Thread 'Humidity of a saturated NaCl solution with anticaking additive'

I want to test a humidity sensor with one or more saturated salt solutions. The table salt that I have on hand contains one of two anticaking agents, calcium silicate or sodium aluminosilicate. Will the presence of either of these additives (or iodine for that matter) significantly affect the equilibrium humidity? I searched and all the how-to-do-it guides did not address this question. One research paper I found reported that at 1.5% w/w calcium silicate increased the deliquescent point by...
View full post »

Thread 'Resists for etching Aluminium with NaOH'

I'm trying to find a cheap DIY method to etch holes of various shapes through 0.3mm Aluminium sheet using 5-10% Sodium Hydroxide. The idea is to apply a resist to the Aluminium then selectively ablate it off using a diode laser cutter and then dissolve away the Aluminium using Sodium Hydroxide. By cheap I mean resists costing say £20 in small quantities. The Internet has suggested various resists to try including... Enamel paint (only survived seconds in the NaOH!) Acrylic paint (only...
View full post »

Similar threads

Can Combustion Synthesis on LiNO3 Produce Lithium Oxide Li2O?
Replies
2
Views
2K
Heat of combustión of a mixture of two substances?
Replies
7
Views
6K
CO Combustion Reaction: What's the Chemical Reaction?
Replies
2
Views
2K
How Can I Store Methane Produced from CO2 and Water Without Combustion?
Replies
23
Views
3K
Non-combustible exothermic oxidation of a Hydrocarbon
Replies
4
Views
2K
Chemistry Does Combusting Different Amounts of Propane Change Final Temperature?
Replies
5
Views
2K
Automotive Ozone Enhanced Combustion of Water/Diesel Emulsion in CI Engines
Replies
6
Views
2K
Turbogenerator electricity output and combustible quantity
Replies
2
Views
1K
Chemical Composition & Combustion of Hydrocarbon Fuel
Replies
4
Views
2K
I What happens when gas is combusted while moving?
Replies
2
Views
996

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top