Are there any combustible metals?

Answer 1

Well my wife manages to burn all the pans ,so the answer must be yes...

Answer 2

There are many combustible metals and some more than others. For example in the periodic table the transition metals are very difficult to combust but still will in the right circumstances. Group 1 and 2 in the periodic table however, contain the most easily combustible metals such as Magnesium and Potassium. When magnesium is put into contact with a flame no matter how hot it will ignite creating a most spectacular bright whit light. When Potassium is put into water it will ignite and create a very pretty purple flame. This is used in schools sometimes and experiments can be found on the Internet. Although this is a spectacular thing to watch the metals at the bottom of group 1 and 2 are incredibly reactive. If just a tiny piece of Radium is placed into some water it will explode!

Answer 3

Most metals are in fact combustable to a degree, especially in powder form. For example even iron powder can burn if it is a fine enough particle. In some cases it depends on the surface area:volume ratio. Some metals definately do burn much more readily than others, magnesium is more flammable than iron for example. Some metals that are highly resistant to oxidation would include platinium, gold, mercury.

Burning of base metals is essentially the same as oxidation (ie rusting), it's just a matter of the kinetics of the reaction. As most metals are found as ores, primarily in the oxide form as this is thermodynamically more stable, it stands to reason that any metal will eventually return to this state, be it a rapid combustion or slow rusting. Again it depends on the conditions and the physical form of the metal (sheet vs. powder).

On a side note, this is why in a chemical lab you are supposed to keep all metal powders in the flammable cabenit.

Answer 4

Since you are asking in chemistry, the correct answer is all metal elements, since all will combine with oxygen under the right conditions. Iron, for instance requires very high heat to initiate.This is how a cutting torch and thermite works. Magnesium and sodium burn in air in a very exothermic manner. Phosphorus is almost as good, although if I remember correctly, only the red form self ignites. I'm not sure what it would take for platinum to oxidize but I bet it can be done after getting above the melting point.

Answer 5

YEP YOU BETCHA PRETTY BOTTOM DOLLAR. We have Caesium, Francium and Rhubidium. These are combustible metals all in groups 1 and 2 of the periodic table (Alkali earth metals).

Answer 6

Magnesium burns spectacularly. Many years ago when the A.V.Roe factory near Manchester, famous for the Lancaster bomber, and other wartime aircraft, caught fire, the whole of the area was emblazoned in daylight due the Magnesium burning that was stored in the factory.Like millions of bonfire nights rolled into one.

Answer 7

Manesium and the heavier group 2 metals,Iron if you hold it to a grindstone,Pyraphoric lead;Many ,maybe all,ot the rare earth metals and some of the transuranium element if finely divided.
Lighter- flints are examples of the use of rare earths
to make fire.They are made of mischmetal a mixture of several elements of the rare earth group.

Answer 8

Yes they are combustible metals suchh as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium.

Answer 9

No!!!!

However, the Groups 1 & 2 metals will readily react with oxygen and/or water releasing heat. (exothermic), and hydrogen (water). The flame that is seen is hydrogen 'burrning' with oxygen to form water. The reaction is so fast that it gives the appearance of the metal burning.

When powdered sodium metal (wire) is put into an atmosphere of chlorine it immediately reacts to form sodium chloride; again it appears to flash/burn.

Answer 10

Lithium,magnesium,aluminium,sodium burned with lilac flame,potassium etc with characteristic flame colors.

the more reactive metals are combustible

Answer 11

if by combustible you mean burn then yeah-almost all metal if not all metal is combustible.Im a welder and when i weld or cut the metal flames up when it melts.