when alcohol ignited it vaporizes!why?

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when alcohol ignited it vaporizes!why?

Help plzzz!support your answer with a balance chemical equation.

2007-01-15 03:09:27 · 2 answers · asked by Romeo O 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry

2 answers

In order to burn something it must be in a gaseous phase. Alcohol has fairly weak intermolecular attractions and vaporizes fairly quickly, quicker than water. When it is ignited and heat is added it vaporizes even more quickly.
This would be a combustion reaction but I don't know what alcohol you have. I will assume ethanol.

C2H5OH + 3O2 = 2CO2 + 3H2O

2007-01-15 03:19:11 · answer #1 · answered by Robert O 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋

In addtion to the previous answer, please realize that alcohol vaporizes before it is ignited. It is the vapors that actually burn, not the liquid. The heat then adds to the vaporization, fueling the fire.

2007-01-15 11:28:07 · answer #2 · answered by reb1240 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋