What shape is a flame in zero-gravity, and how could you influence it?

Question

Equilibrium may be possible with it, not sure. No conventional convection currents but would it create it's own? and oscillate indefinitely? Assuming the oxygen source is from all directions equally, and the fuel also (a slow burning sphere of fuel), I guess it might eventually reach an equilibrium, or momentarily reach one, and extinguish itself.

Equilibrium may be possible with it, not sure. No conventional convection currents but would it create it's own and oscillate indefinitely - by flaring then extinguishing in the same place, then allowing oxygen back in etc. Assuming the oxygen source is from all directions equally, and the fuel also (a slow burning sphere of fuel), I guess it might eventually reach an equilibrium, or momentarily reach one, and extinguish itself.

Answer 1

Most likely it would be spherical at some point, however it it were moving it would most likely flow like a liquid, which is kind of a scary thought. Nothing like a bit of fire-water to quench your thirst. Depending how hot it got, if it became a plasma you could influence it with electromagnetic fields, since it would be a charged body (in its plasma state). And as a plasma it might flow along electromagnetic force lines...?

Just a thought. Either way, I wouldn't want to be anywhere near its compartment in a space station or whatever...

And it wouldn't technically be zero gravity since the mass of the particles involved in the reaction would exert gravitic force on other atoms/molecules in the reaction. So, it would form its own gravity field, albeit quite small. But that, I think, is why it would probably be spherical... Since it would all want to fall into its own gravity well... eventually. Of course the energy of the particles would probably negate all or most of the effect of gravity, thus make them want to push apart from each other... & then it would probably act like a pressurized fluid, and exhibit characteristics like reflection off surfaces, interference, etc. etc.

Answer 2

Nice Question I Think That He Is Right But It Would Make A Flame For Just A Second Untill All The Oxygen Is Burnt Up. And It Wouldnt Have Any Certain Shape Depending On The Ammounts of Oxygen Around The Flame But Who Knows

Answer 3

Flame is cause by the burning of gases. When solids appear to burn it is actually the gas given off that is burning and the damage to the source is from the heat.

To sustain a flame there would have to be a flow of gas and an uptake of oxygen. Where there is a flow of gas that would have a direction and a momentum and draw oxygen in from the bottom which again adds flow and momentum so the flame could not be round. It would have to elongate in a similar way to that which occurs on earth.

Influence could be done by shaping the hole the gas comes from. Varying the pressure of gas. Introducing blown air. Introducing something solid into or against the flame.

For the the person who said flame cannot exist in zero gravity all that is required for a flame is air, fuel and heat. Gravity is nothing to do with it.

Answer 4

Experiments on flames in zero G have been done on the Space Shuttle. The resulting flames are spherical. There is a difficulty getting oxygen into the heart of the flame, so the fire tends to be a lower denstity, but hotter, thing than in gravity. It also tends to spread away from the core as it moves towards more oxygen.

Answer 5

Candle or free liquid flame: don't. Disaster awaits. Either that or it will go out because there are no thermal currents to draw new oxygen into the flame.

Flames with burner nozzles: it will follow the momentum of the fuel as it leaves the nozzle - straight out. The friction between air and the gas leaving the nozzle will continually draw new oxygen in, so you will get a decent flame. It won't curve "upwards" of course because up doesn't exist.

You could change its shape by making the fuel jet finer and faster. You could divert it by having it hit a plate or having a fan to blow air across it.

Answer 6

Flames in zero gravity are round since the lack of gravity eliminates the formation of convection currents, which give a flame on earth its distinct spera shape.

Answer 7

Flame should be spherical assuming the burning source is a point and can burn ( oxygen supply will be difficult in the absense of convection)

Answer 8

Flames are not affeted by gravity, else the flame of the matchstick should point downwards. They are affected by the flow of hhot air around them, which rises upwards. Now zero gravity in the present circumstances will imply no air, which will also mean no fire. When fed from a pressurired source, the pressure will again force it in the direction of air / gas flow.

Answer 9

are we sitting an exam today and no one told me ?

Answer 10

you cant make fire in zero gravity lol!!!!!!!!lolololol