2006-12-12 07:26:04 · 16 answers · asked by DAVID H 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
If by space you mean vacuum then no. Fire is a chemical process whereby a substance is reacting rapidly with oxygen - an example of slow oxidation is rust though even that can be rapid with some metals.
Inside a space shuttle you could light a match as there would be oxygen but the flame would be almost spherical around the match.
Oh and for the chap who thinks the sun is on fire... hmm well. Where to start? Look up stars in wikipedia or how stuff works.
2006-12-12 08:43:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Burning" in the chemical sense of a fire, needs at least two components to react. It also need some kind of circulation to keep the reaction going. If you lit a candle in a space ship, the normal circulation of rising hot air drawing in more air from below to burn with the wax, wouldn't work. The flame would form a spherical front, and pretty soon the wax in the wick would have no air left to react to, so the flame would go out.
2006-12-13 07:09:34 · answer #2 · answered by Paul FB 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fire on Earth needs oxygen but the sun technichally is a big ball of fire that burns Hydrogen so I'd say yes.
2006-12-13 09:32:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You know the fire triangle? So long as the three requirements are present you can have fire.
NB: The sun is not a fire. It is a ball of plasma. It does not burn in the same way as wood burns. It 'burns' via fusion reactions.
2006-12-13 04:34:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fire needs oxygen
2006-12-12 15:32:43 · answer #5 · answered by Bluefurball 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the sun is a fire that burns in space and the thrusters of a rocket burn in space.so yes you can have fire in space,but fire as we know it needs oxygen and fule.
2006-12-12 22:03:47 · answer #6 · answered by Raider. 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not in a vacumn but if you burst an oxigen tank and a fuel tank in space you would get a fire ball.
Rocket engines have fire in them but they supply their own oxigen.
2006-12-12 15:32:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
What like a bonfire? then no, a rocket motor? then yes for it carries it`s own oxygen. In space there is no oxygen to support combustion.
2006-12-16 06:03:24 · answer #8 · answered by Spanner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but only if there is some fuel coming from an enclosed place nearby, or as a big explosion of said enclosure.
2006-12-12 15:34:58 · answer #9 · answered by ringoshaw 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, oxygen is essential for fire, so unless you have the oxygen no fire
2006-12-12 15:33:07 · answer #10 · answered by gerry g 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋