Combustion Collection (#5)

Calcium flame test. Calcium burning in air, producing an orange flame. The colour of the flame is caused by electrons that have been excited to a higher energy state

Sooty flame. Alkene (oct-1-ene) burning in a crucible with a sooty (smoky) flame. Alkenes are unsaturated (double bonded) organic molecules. The sooty flame is characteristic of alkenes

Paraffin lamp burning. Paraffin is a mixture of alkane hydrocarbons

Burning sugar on a spoon

Sparks from a thermite reaction
Thermite reaction. Time-exposure image of sparks caused by a thermite reaction as an aluminium wrench strikes a block of rusty iron (iron oxide)

Molecular model of the explosive TNT
TNT. Molecular model of the explosive TNT, or trinitrotoluene (formula: C7H5N3O6). The atoms are spherical and colour-coded: carbon (blue), oxygen (red), hydrogen (white) and nitrogen (light blue)

Iron filings in pure oxygen
Iron filings on a combustion spoon in a jar of pure oxygen. No reaction is occurring here as iron is not a very reactive metal

Sodium burning in air. Sodium (Na) is a highly reactive metallic element from group one of the periodic table. It burns in air, reacting with atmospheric oxygen (O2) to form sodium oxide (Na2.O)

Flames, computer artwork

Fireball from liquid petroleum gas explosion

Fire. Flammable liquid burning on the ground

Oxyacetylene flame (blue) from an oxyacetylene torch or burner. This torch burns a mixture of oxygen and acetylene (ethyne, C2H2)

Candles burning

Potassium burning in air. Potassium (K) is a soft, highly reactive, alkali metal. In air it will burn with a brilliant flame to form potassium dioxide (or potassium superoxide, KO2)

Candle flames. Conceptual image of three coloured candle flames representing the RGB (red, green and blue) colours that are combined to produce other colours

Fire of smokeless fuel

Propane burner. Lit hob of a propane burner

Sulphur burning in air. Sulphur being burnt on a spoon, producing a blue flame. Sulphur is the tenth most abundant element in the universe. At room temperature it is a pale yellow, odourless solid

Close-up of a flame from a sheet of paper
Close-up of the flame from a sheet of paper

Copper powder in pure oxygen
Copper powder on a combustion spoon in a jar of pure oxygen. No reaction is occurring here as copper is not a very reactive metal

Magnesium ribbon. Image 1 of 3. The ribbon is being held in tongs to allow it to be burned. For a sequence showing the burning, see images A510/214-216

Candle and flame
False-colour photograph of a candle and flame. The heat halo has more to do with artistic license than actual heat distribution around the candle

Burning coal

Flames

Methylbenzene burning
Methylbenzene (or toluene) burning in air. This produces a yellow flame and very sooty fumes due to incomplete combustion

Glowing fire of smokeless fuel
Smokeless fire. Glowing fire of smokeless fuel. This fuel is created by the low-temperature carbonization of coal which distils off the parts of the coal that create smoke

Burning zinc (Zn) metal in oxygen (O2) gas. Zinc burns with an intense white flame. It forms zinc (II) oxide (ZnO)

Glowing barbecue embers under a grill

Burnt magnesium ribbon. During the combustion of the magnesium ribbon white magnesium oxide is formed

Coal fire. Flames and glowing embers in a coal fire

Burning calcium (Ca) in oxygen (O2) gas. Calcium burns with an intense white flame, tinged with red at the edges. It forms calcium oxide (CaO)

Oil fire. Burning oil floating on the surface of water

Gas hob, seen from above. This kitchen device, used to cook food, is burning natural gas

Who will first drive two miles a minute? Motor driver Resta
Illustration showing the driver Resta covering a half-mile in 17.372 seconds (or at a speed of 103.615 miles an hour) at Brooklands

A wood fire
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Carbon patterns on fire glass of a wood burning stove
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

A performer doing his fire eating act
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Global warming is leading to increasingly frequent forest fires
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

Candles on a cake, Schlieren image. The candle flames (white, lower centre) are heating air that is seen coiling (blue, red and yellow) as it rises

Electric Dog-Cart 1888
Electric dog-cart : battery- powered. For a while, car designers will look to electricity for their motive power, but sadly, combustion will triumph

Combustion / Human
Mrs E. M, a Widow who died on 29th January 1958. Was she burnt by the Fire her remains were found by?, or did she Spontaneously Combust?

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"Unleashing the Fiery Power: Exploring the Mysteries of Combustion" Fire, a mesmerizing element that has captivated mankind since ancient times. From flame tests in laboratories to spontaneous combustion, combustion remains an enigma waiting to be unraveled. In 1961, the launch of Vostok 1 spacecraft marked a milestone in human history as Yuri Gagarin became the first person to orbit Earth. The roaring flames beneath propelled him into space, showcasing the incredible power of controlled combustion. But not all instances are within our control. Paranormal tales have whispered about mysterious fires erupting without any apparent cause - spontaneous combustion defying scientific explanation and leaving us perplexed. As we delve deeper into this fiery realm, we encounter intriguing symbols like the Champion Spark Plug Service Sign – an emblem representing precision and efficiency in igniting engines with a spark. However, amidst these wonders lies a dark side. Tragic accidents remind us of the devastating consequences when fire spirals out of control. Figure 1 depicts a terrible incident where a lady finds herself ablaze - a haunting reminder that vigilance is crucial when dealing with combustible materials. Yet beyond such tragedies lie everyday marvels associated with combustion. The warmth emanating from burning wood or flickering candles creates cozy environments and evokes feelings of comfort and tranquility. Returning to history's pages once more, Charles Dickens' "Bleak House" introduced readers to another facet of this phenomenon - spontaneous human combustion depicted as an eerie occurrence shrouded in mystery during Victorian times. Combustion continues its dance through time, captivating our senses while posing questions yet unanswered by science. Its allure persists as it illuminates both our physical world and our imagination alike – reminding us that within every flame lies untapped potential waiting for discovery.