2006-07-01 02:00:41 · 14 answers · asked by m'kay 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Fire actually tends to put itself out in a zero gravity enviroment. It needs forced air to keep burning and then will stream in the direction of the forced air.
2006-07-01 02:03:51 · answer #1 · answered by Norm 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I once saw a Nova episode covering the space shuttle missions in which an experiment was carried out in zero gravity. A candle was lit and the candle's flame was spherical in shape when in zero gravity. It was totally amazing to watch.
2006-07-01 02:08:36 · answer #2 · answered by Pinoy Dude65 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless the effects of gravity in terms of convection or gas movement are somehow replaced, such as in a rocket motor where the fuel is continuously mixed with the oxygen, I suspect the gases produced from combution would effectively smother the flame assuming we are talking the equivalent of burning a stick in an enclosed atmosphere in space.
Intersting question though. Are you going to run an experiment on this one? Can I be there when you do?
2006-07-01 02:05:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
pinoy dude is right.....zero gravity doesnt mean zero oxygen folks. otherwise astronauts would die within the confines of the space shuttle. the upward shape of a flame is dependent on heated air traveling opposite the direction of gravity. if there is no gravity, the flame would be evenly dispursed in the shape of a sphere.
2006-07-01 02:32:53 · answer #4 · answered by fripple2005 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would tend to stay in a ball like shape, pulsating and moving around very little, keeping a spherical shape. Although if oxygen was entered into the equation, the "ball' would grow expedentially larger.In a frightening display i would imagine.
2006-07-01 03:26:21 · answer #5 · answered by gimelessdanger 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
fire needs oxygen to survive and at zero gravity there iz no oxygen how do u expect it to be seen if it can't even survive there.
2006-07-01 02:05:34 · answer #6 · answered by Dark_Angel_Of*The*Mist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
zero gravity has no air no oxygen and no fire
2006-07-01 02:04:18 · answer #7 · answered by Hart 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that fire could not exist at zero gravity... hence question is unanswerable...
2006-07-01 02:03:29 · answer #8 · answered by Tom Van Dyke 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ball shaped
the fire will go in all directions from the spot that is actually on fire
2006-07-01 02:04:05 · answer #9 · answered by Preykill 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd have to agree with the last few posts and say that it would probably migrate to (or away) one central point and appear spherical.
2006-07-01 02:16:31 · answer #10 · answered by alphaxander 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋