Gravity doesnt affect a flame in space.
2007-10-15 04:52:07 · 1 answers · asked by Babiiee Laura Jaynee =] 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Good question.
On earth, the way a flame works is that when it starts burning, it heats the local air. This causes the local air to expand which makes it lighter. It the becomes bouyant and rises like a hot air baloon.
This rising column of hot air, and the turbulence caused by the column allow the H20 and CO2 to disperse. It also draws fresh air into the flame continuing the process.
In space, you get an initial flame, but unless you have something causing the air to move (such as a fan), the heated air with the flame byproducts (H20 andC02) just sits there. There is no gravity, there is no up and down, therefore the hot air has nowhere to go.
This means that the CO2 and H2O will just sit there and gradually difuse away from the flame.
2007-10-15 06:01:37 · answer #1 · answered by Frst Grade Rocks! Ω 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋