Brooke Martin
A candle needs three things to sustain a flame: fuel, oxygen, and heat. When a candle is covered by a flask, oxygen is cut off from the external environment. In this setup, the flame continues to burn until the oxygen within the flask is used up, causing the flame to go out. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a gas that is heavier than oxygen and can be used to put out a candle flame. CO2 can be produced by mixing baking soda and vinegar, and when poured onto a candle flame, it displaces the oxygen surrounding the flame, causing it to extinguish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is used to extinguish the candle | Carbon dioxide |
| How is carbon dioxide produced | By mixing baking soda and vinegar |
| Why does carbon dioxide extinguish the candle | It is heavier than air and displaces oxygen |
| What happens when a candle is covered by a flask | The flame goes out due to lack of oxygen |
| What happens when you blow out a candle | Your breath contains more carbon dioxide than when you inhaled |
| What is the combustion reaction sustained by | Fuel, oxygen, and heat |
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What You'll Learn
CO2 is heavier than oxygen
A candle needs three things to sustain a flame: fuel, oxygen, and heat. When a candle is covered by a flask, oxygen is cut off from the external environment. However, combustion still occurs due to the presence of oxygen within the flask.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a gas that is heavier than oxygen. When CO2 is introduced into the flask, it sinks and displaces the oxygen within the flask. As a result, the flame is deprived of oxygen and goes out. This is because CO2 molecules push the oxygen and other molecules in the air out of the way as they sink.
One way to generate CO2 is by mixing baking soda and vinegar. This reaction produces carbon dioxide, which can then be poured onto the candle to extinguish the flame. This science trick demonstrates what happens when air is replaced with carbon dioxide.
Another way to extinguish a candle using CO2 is by utilising a carbonated drink. Soft drinks contain carbon dioxide, which is kept dissolved in the liquid under pressure. When the pressure is released, the carbon dioxide is rapidly released and can be used to extinguish the candle. This method was demonstrated by Dr. Yan on the BBC show "Bang Goes the Theory", where a bottle of lemonade was used as a CO2 fire extinguisher.
It is important to note that while these methods can successfully extinguish a small number of candles, they do not provide the same quantity of CO2 as a traditional fire extinguisher. Therefore, they may not be effective for larger fires.
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CO2 suffocates the flame
A candle flame needs three things to sustain itself: fuel, oxygen, and heat. When a candle is covered by a flask, the oxygen within the flask becomes limited. Mixing baking soda and vinegar produces carbon dioxide (CO2), which is heavier than air. When CO2 is poured onto a flame, it displaces the oxygen in the air surrounding the flame, pushing it away. This is because the CO2 molecules are heavier than oxygen molecules. As a result, the flame is deprived of oxygen and goes out.
The production of CO2 by mixing baking soda and vinegar can be used to demonstrate how CO2 suffocates a flame. This experiment involves creating CO2 in a glass and then pouring it onto a lit candle. The CO2 will sink to the bottom of the glass due to its higher density compared to air. When poured out, it will displace the oxygenated air surrounding the candle, smothering the flame.
The density of CO2 also plays a role in extinguishing flames. In an experiment, candles of varying heights were placed in a container with baking soda and vinegar. As CO2 was produced, it filled the container from the bottom up, forcing out the oxygen. The candles went out in order of height, with the lowest candle extinguishing first. This demonstrates how CO2, being heavier than air, can suffocate a flame by displacing oxygen.
Additionally, the experiment can be modified to use a bottle of carbonated lemonade as a source of CO2. By shaking the bottle and then carefully opening it, the compressed CO2 escapes and flows out, extinguishing the candle flames as it moves. This further illustrates how CO2 can act as a fire extinguisher by depriving the flame of oxygen.
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CO2 is produced by vinegar and baking soda
When vinegar and baking soda are mixed, they undergo a chemical reaction to produce carbon dioxide (CO2). This gas is invisible, except for the bubbles that form when the vinegar and baking soda mixture reacts. The carbon dioxide gas produced is heavier than air, and when released, it sinks and displaces the oxygen in the surrounding air.
To demonstrate this, a simple experiment can be performed using a candle, vinegar, baking soda, and a glass flask. First, light a candle and place it on a stable surface. Then, pour about two teaspoons of baking soda into the flask. In a separate container, pour approximately two tablespoons of vinegar.
Now, carefully pour the vinegar into the flask containing the baking soda. As the vinegar and baking soda react, carbon dioxide gas will be produced. The gas will collect in the flask. Once the reaction subsides, quickly place the flask over the lit candle, ensuring that the candle is covered completely by the flask.
The carbon dioxide gas produced by the reaction between vinegar and baking soda is heavier than air, so it will sink to the bottom of the flask and displace the oxygen-containing air surrounding the candle wick. This will create a localized environment devoid of oxygen, causing the flame to be extinguished. The flame requires oxygen to sustain combustion, and without it, the flame cannot continue burning.
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CO2 is present in carbonated drinks
CO2 is a critical component of carbonated drinks, and its presence lends these beverages their distinctive fizz and sparkle. Carbonation refers to the process of dissolving CO2 gas in water under specific conditions of pressure and temperature. This process can occur naturally or through artificial means, with the latter being the more common method for creating carbonated drinks.
The level of carbonation in drinks varies according to the desired product. For instance, sparkling water and soft drinks typically contain 3–7 g of CO2 per litre, while colas and similar drinks may contain up to 3.5–5 g of CO2 per liquid volume. The carbonation of beverages like beer, fruit juice, wine, and soft drinks enhances their taste and mouthfeel, infusing them with a tangy flavour and slight acidity.
CO2 is an ideal gas for carbonation because it is non-toxic, inert, and virtually tasteless. It is highly soluble in water, more so than other gases such as helium and hydrogen. When CO2 dissolves in water, it forms carbonic acid, which gives carbonated drinks their characteristic acidic flavour and the sensation of sweetness on the palate. This chemical reaction also produces the fizz associated with these drinks, creating an aesthetically pleasing and sensorially enjoyable experience.
The solubility of CO2 in water is influenced by temperature, with lower temperatures improving its solubility. This is why beverages are carbonated with cold water, enabling them to hold more gas. Additionally, pressure is applied during the carbonation process to further increase the amount of gas dissolved in the water. When a carbonated drink is shaken or the temperature rises, the excess CO2 becomes eager to escape, resulting in the familiar fizz or "pop" when the container is opened.
The presence of CO2 in carbonated drinks also serves a functional purpose beyond sensory appeal. It acts as a preservative, prolonging the shelf life of these beverages by inhibiting bacterial growth and suppressing the production of additional CO2 by yeast during fermentation. This antiyeast property is particularly beneficial in drinks containing sucrose, as it prevents the excessive formation of ethanol. Thus, CO2 plays a crucial role in both the sensory and functional aspects of carbonated drinks, contributing to their widespread popularity and longevity.
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CO2 is used in fire extinguishers
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a gas that is heavier than oxygen. When CO2 is poured onto a flame, it acts as a blanket, pushing oxygen away from the wick and suffocating the flame. This is why CO2 is used in fire extinguishers.
To demonstrate this, a simple experiment can be conducted using a candle, a glass jar, and vinegar and baking soda to produce CO2. Firstly, place the candle inside the jar and light it. Then, add baking soda to the jar and slowly pour in vinegar. This will rapidly produce CO2, which will fill the jar from the bottom up as it is heavier than air, forcing oxygen out. As a result, the candle will be deprived of oxygen and eventually go out.
This experiment illustrates the fundamental principle behind fire extinguishers that utilise CO2. By releasing compressed CO2 onto a fire, the gas displaces oxygen in the surrounding area, effectively smothering the fire and depriving it of the oxygen necessary to sustain combustion.
CO2 fire extinguishers are particularly effective on liquid and electrical fires. They are also useful for fires involving flammable metals and those involving cooking oils and fats, as they do not leave any residue that could contaminate food preparation areas. However, it is important to note that CO2 extinguishers should not be used in confined spaces, as the gas can reduce the oxygen levels to dangerous levels for humans.
While a small bottle of carbonated drink containing CO2 can be used to extinguish a few small candles, it does not contain enough gas to serve as an effective fire extinguisher for larger fires. Specialized equipment and a much larger volume of compressed CO2 are required for fire-fighting applications.
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Frequently asked questions
CO2 is heavier than oxygen, so it sinks down and displaces the oxygen surrounding the candle flame. This suffocates the flame by preventing it from reacting with oxygen, causing it to go out.
Covering the candle with a flask traps the oxygen within the flask, preventing it from mixing with CO2. This ensures that the CO2 effectively displaces the oxygen and extinguishes the flame.
First, light a candle and cover it with a transparent flask. Then, mix baking soda and vinegar in a separate container to produce CO2. Finally, pour the CO2 into the flask, and observe how the candle flame is extinguished as the CO2 displaces the oxygen within the flask.
