Combustion and Flame
Q. Write a note on types of combustion.
Ans.Combustion can be divided into three types - rapid combustion, spontaneous combustion and
explosion.
Rapid Combustion:
Combustion in which a substance buns rapidly and produces heat and flame known as rapid
combustion. Substances which undergo rapid combustion have lower ignition temperature.
Spontaneous Combustion:
When a substance suddenly starts burning into a flame: without the supply of any extenal cause (such as
heating): the combustion is called spontaneous combustion. Substances: which have relatively low
temperature of ignition generally bum by spontaneous combustion.
Examples: Phosphorous and sulphur start burning instantancously: at room temperature.
Explosion: -
When combustion is accompanied by sudden production of heat, sound and large amount of gas, it is
called explosion. Firecrackers and bombs are substances which show explosion.
Q. Why some combustible substances burn with Mame while some do not?
Ans.All substances do not give flame while burning. Substances which vapourise while burning give
flame and those which do not vapourise while burning do not give flame.
Fuels which burnt with flame are used to produce light.
Example
Kerosene., wax, wood, etc. burn with flame as they vapourise during burming.
Coal and coke do not vaporize while burning and hence do not produce flame.
Q. Describe the structure of Mame.
Ans.Flame can be divided into three zones - innemost zone, middle zone and outer zone
Innermost zone: Zone near the wick of a candle is called the innermost zone of the flame. The innermost
zone is the zone of unburnt wax and is generally of black colour. It is the least hot zone.
Middle zone: Zone in the middle of the flame is called the middle zone. Middle zone of flame is
moderately hot and of yellowish colour. In this zone. fuel burns partially. Middle zone is the luminous
zone, because partial combustion of carbon produces glow. Middle zone produces black deposits of
unburnt carbon particles. Outer zone: Outer zone of flame is of bluish colour and the hottest part of the
flame. In this zone, fuel is completely burnt. Because of complete combustion, it gives bluish colour.
Q. Mention the characteristies for ideal fuel.
Ans.Easily and readily available,Cheap,Bums casily in air moderate rate,Produces large amount of
heat,Burms completely and does not leave any undesirable substance after burning.
Q. What to you understand by fuel efficiency?
Ans Efficiency of a fuel is measured by its calorific value.
Calorific value is the amount of heat produced by the complete burming of 1 kg of fuel. And hence
calorific value of fuel is expressed in kilo joule per kg (k Jkg).
A fuel with higher calorific value is considered as an cfficient fuel.
Q. What are the harmful effects of burning fuels?
Ans.Somc of the harmful effects of burning of fuel are as follows:
(a) Fuels: like, wood, petrol, diesel, coal, etc. release unburnt carbon particles. These unburnt carbon
particles create pollution by mixing in air. They lead to diseases of respiratory system and many other
related discases.
(b) Incomplete combustion of carbon fuels produces carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous
gas which may kill a person.
(c) Most of the fuels relcase carbon dioxide gas. Excess carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere leads to
global warming.
() Burning of coal and diesel produce sulphur dioxide. Buning of petrol gives oxide of nitrogen. When
these gases mix with rainwater, acids are forned. These acids fall along with rainwater and this is called
acid rain.
NCERT Questions Ques: 1. List conditions under vwhich combustion can take place.
Ans - Conditions under which combustion can take place are as follows:
(a) Presence of oxygen
(b) Presence of an inflammable substance
(c) Ignition temperature
Ques: 3. Explain how the use of CNG in automobiles has reduced pollution in our cities.
Ans: CNG is acleaner fucl; compared to petrol and diesel. CNG produces lesser amount of hamful gases
on buning Due to this, CNG is now being used in automobiles in many cities: which has helped in
reducing pollution in our cities.
Question: 5. Give reasons:
(a) Water is not used to control fires involving clectrical equipment.
Answer: Pure water is abad conductor of clectricity but nornal water contains many salts and hence is a
good
in conductor
electric shock.of electricity.
Due Tryingis tonotdouse
to this, water fires:
used to involving
control electrical electrical
fires involving equipment:equipment.
with water can result
(b) LPG is a better domestic fuel than wood.
Answer: LPG is abetter domestic fuel than wood because of several reasons. Unlike wood, LPG burns
without smoke. This makes the life of housewives more comfortable and they do not have to worry about
blackening of pots and pans. Moreover, use of LPG as domestic fuel also rules out the chances of getting
respiratory disorders which may happen when someone uses wood as kitchen fuel. Storage and
transportation of LPG is casier compared to that of wood.
(c) Paper by itself catches fire casily whercas a piece of paper wrapped around an aluminium pipe does
not.
Answer: The ignition temperature of paper is lower compared to that of aluminium. When paper is
wrapped around an aluminium pipe: the ignition temperature increases. That is why paper itself catches
fire easily whereas apiece of paper wrapped around an aluminium pipe does not.
Ques: 7. Name the unit in which the calorific value of a fuel is expressed.
Ans: The calorific value of a fuel is expressed in kilo joule per kg (kJ/kg).
Ques: 9. It is difficult to burn aheap of green leaves but dryleaves catch fire easiy. Explain.
Ans: Green leaves contain moisture and as a result, the ignition temperature of green leaves is much
higher than that of dry leaves. Due to this, it is dificult to bun aheap of green leaves but dy leaves catch
fire casily.
Ques: 11. In an experiment 4.5 kg of a fuel was completely bunt. The heat produced was measured to be
180,000 kJ. Calculate the calorific value of the fuel.
Ans: Total mass of fuel = 4.5 kg
Heat produced by burming the given mass of fuel = 180,000 kJ.
We know that calorific value of fuel
Heat produced in k< 180,000kJ
Total nass burnt = 40,000kJ/kg
4.5 kg
Hence. the calorific value of the given fuel = 40,000 kJ/kg
Ques.12. Can the process of rusting be called combustion? Discuss.
Ans: Although the process of rusting also involves oxidation but it cannot be termed as combustion. The
reason for this is that combustion isdefined as a process in which oxidation is accompanicd by heat and
heat is not produced during rusting.
