a piece of charcoal takes 2 to3 minutes to glow in the air but takes only 15 to 20 seconds to burn completely in pure oxygen .Why?
2007-03-25 01:40:06 · 3 answers · asked by nazati 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Because the ratio N to O in air is about 5 to 1. Nitrogen moderates the oxidizing action of oxygen.
2007-03-25 01:47:39 · answer #1 · answered by QQ dri lu 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because air is a mixture of different gases (oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide) so it is only able to re-act with the oxygen. Pure oxygen doesn't have any other gases so the charcoal has more oxygen to react with. Hope it helps :-)
2007-03-25 01:51:41 · answer #2 · answered by maidmaz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
air is composed of only 20% of oxygen
So , if you burn in pure oxygen, the combustion takes place faster
2007-03-25 02:43:31 · answer #3 · answered by maussy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋