Was wondering how fire at zero gravity would act, what it would look like, it's characteristics.
2006-09-20 20:39:40 · 3 answers · asked by Aaron Clarke 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
I suspect it would be the same as now.
If there were zero pressure then I think it would have the potential to spread out in a three directional direction instead of the flames just going upwards.
2006-09-20 20:49:57 · answer #1 · answered by Brenmore 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've seen pictures of that experiment, I think they were from the Space Station or MIR. It may have been a candle. There was a small ball of flame, about an inch in diameter, but it didn't put itself out. I'm guessing the size is limited by how fast oxygen can diffuse into the flame. The larger the flame gets, the less ratio of surface area to flame volume, so it seems to be self limiting. Anyway, that's my hypothesis.
2006-09-21 04:02:59 · answer #2 · answered by craig p 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there is no effective convection from gravity then fires burn very badly. There would be a ball of fire, then a ball of smoke and then it would self extinguish.
If it were in space AND at zero gravity then it would not burn at all because of lack of oxygen
2006-09-21 03:43:45 · answer #3 · answered by andyoptic 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋