Pictionary quiz

Identify at least three

substances that will catch
fire from the pictures given
alongside.
 Pictionary quiz

Identify at least three

substances that will catch fire
from the pictures given
alongside.
From the given pictures coal,
wood and LPG will catch fire.
 Explore through a video.

Watch the video based on

combustion and answer the
following questions based
on it.

1. What is combustion?
2. What are combustible
substances?
3. What are non-combustible
substances?
 What is combustion?

● Combustion is the scientific word for the

process of burning.
● It is defined as a chemical reaction in which a
substance reacts with oxygen in the air and
produces heat and light.
The light is given off during combustion either in the
form of a flame or glow. For example, a candle burns
with a flame, but a piece of coal or charcoal burns
with a glow and gives out heat without a flame.
 Define Combustion

A Chemical process in which a substance

react with the oxygen(of air) to give heat and
light is called combustion

Combustion or burning is the sequence of

exothermic chemical reactions between a
fuel and an oxidant accompanied by the
production of heat and conversion of
chemical species. The release of heat can
result in the production of light in the form
of either glowing or a flame.
 Combustion reaction

The process in which a substance

undergoes a chemical reaction in
the presence of air (oxygen) to
produce heat and light is called
combustion.
 What are combustible substances?

● The substances that undergo the process of

burning are said to be combustible substances.
● They are also called fuels. They are found in
three main states of matter - solid, liquid and
gas.
● For example, coal, charcoal, paper, wood,
magnesium ribbon, alcohol, liquefied petroleum
gas (LPG), kerosene, petrol and diesel.
What are the conditions required for the combustion to take place?

The three conditions that are required for combustion to take place are as follows

1. Combustible substance: The substance (fuel) should be combustible.

 What are the conditions required for the combustion to
take place?

2.Air (Oxygen)which supports burning: Presence of oxygen is necessary to support

combustion.
 What are the conditions required for the combustion to
take place?

3. Heat: The substance should be heated to its ignition temperature.

● The lowest temperature at which a substance catches fire and starts burning is
called its ignition temperature.
● Each substance has a specific ignition temperature. For example, the ignition
temperature of paper is 233 °C.
● When we heat it to a temperature of 233 °C, it catches fire and starts burning.
In other words, we can say that different substances catch fire at different
ignition temperatures.
 Conditions necessary for combustion
1. Presence of a combustible substance
2. Presence of supporter of combustion
3. Heating the combustible substance to its ignition temperature

Combustion will not occur in the absence of any one of these.

Conditions for burning
 Ignition Temperature
The ignition temperature of a substance, in a solid, liquid, or gaseous state, is the minimum temperature
required to start or cause combustion, regardless of an igniting element.

The lowest temperature at which a

combustible substance starts burning in the
presence of air is called its ignition
temperature.
 Critical-reading skill

The school had taken the children for camping in the hills. The teacher told Aman
and Mayank to collect firewood for lighting a campfire. They found a bundle of
firewood nearby on the campsite, but unfortunately the wood had turned wet due
to rainfall the day before. When the students tried to light the campfire, it could
not lit up. The teacher told that the wood would not catch fire since, it was
Wet.
1. Is firewood a combustible substance?

2. What happens when firewood is burnt?

............................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
3. Why does wet firewood not light up?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
 Critical-reading skill

1. Is firewood a combustible substance?

2. What happens when firewood is burnt?

Wood (firewood) is composed of dead plant cells which consists of carbon, oxygen as
well as other elements. When firewood is burnt, the carbon reacts with oxygen in air
producing carbon dioxide in form of smoke. Since, wood is a combustible and
inflammable substance, it easily catches fire.
3. Why does wet firewood not light up?
Moisture (water) absorbs a large amount of heat energy which is why the wood is
unable to reach its ignition temperature. Hence, wet wood does not lit up.
Classify them as combustible and non-combustible substances
Classify them as combustible and non-combustible substances

combustible non-combustible combustible non-combustible

substance substance substance substance
 Combustible substances

A substance that burns in air or oxygen to

produce heat and light is called a combustible
substance, e.g. paper, wood, kerosene and
LPG.
 Non-combustible substances

A substance that does not burn in

air or oxygen is called a
non-combustible substance, e.g.
stone and metal.
 Correct the incorrect sentences.

1. Ignition is the scientific word for the process of burning.

2. Combustion is defined as a biological reaction in which a
substance reacts with oxygen in the air and produces heat and
light.
3. The substances that undergo the process of burning are said to
be non-combustible substances.
4. A presence of nitrogen is necessary to support combustion.
5. Sand, water, glass, stone and copper wire are some of the
examples of combustible substances.
 Correct the incorrect sentences.

1. Ignition is the scientific word for the process of burning.

Correct answer: Combustion
2. Combustion is defined as a biological reaction in which a substance reacts with oxygen in the air and
produces heat and light.
Correct answer: chemical
3. The substances that undergo the process of burning are said to be non-combustible substances.
Correct answer: combustible
4. A presence of nitrogen is necessary to support combustion.
Correct answer: oxygen
5. Sand, water, glass, stone and copper wire are some of the examples of combustible substances.
Correct answer: non-combustible
 What is forest fire?

Forest fire is an example of spontaneous

combustion.
During extreme heat of summer, dry grasses
in some places attain their ignition
temperature and catch fire. From the dry
grass, the fire spreads to the whole forest,
which is very difficult to control. It results in
loss of life and materials.
Activity - Why is it difficult to put out forest fire?
Activity to understand that air is essential for burning.

Aim: To understand that air is essential for burning.

Materials required: candle, cardboard and test tube

Activity - Why is it difficult to put out a forest fires?

Procedure:
Activity - Why is it difficult to put out a forest fire?

What do you observe?

Inference:
Inference:
 Activity - Why is it difficult to put out a forest fire?

What do you observe?

The flame will be extinguished.

Inference:
Inference: In this experiment we find that for combustion, oxygen is necessary. The candle

burns when air is present. However, the flame flickers and produce smoke when less amount of oxygen is

present. The flame finally goes off because air is not available.
 Observation skill question

What is demonstrated in the image above?

 Observation skill question

The conditions essential for combustion is being

demonstrated in the image above.
 Types of Combustion

Types of Combustion are

1. Rapid Combustion,
2. Spontaneous Combustion, and.
3. Explosive Combustion.
 Types of Combustion

Rapid Combustion Spontaneous Explosion

Combustion is very fast Combustion is on its own Combustion causes Large amount
of Heat, Light, Sound

Example Example Example

Matchstick near stove Coal Dust in Coal Mines FireCrackers
Types of combustion
 Types of combustion
Slow combustion: This combustion takes place at a very slow rate, thus releasing a continuous supply of
energy. For example, cellular respiration is an example of slow combustion whereby cells in our bodies obtain
energy.
Rapid combustion: It is a form of combustion in which large amounts of heat and light energy are released,
which often results in a fire. For example, burning of match stick, burning of fuel are rapid combustions.
Spontaneous combustion: In this kind of combustion, a substance
unexpectedly bursts into flame. If the heat so released cannot escape the substance, the temperature of the
substance rises until ignition takes place. Spontaneous combustion often occurs in piles of oily rags, hay,
leaves, or coal; it can constitute a serious fire. In this combustion, no external ignition is required.

Combustion can also be classified as —complete and incomplete combustion.

Complete combustion Complete combustion of fuel takes place when sufficient amount of oxygen is
available for the fuel to burn. The fuel burns completely resulting in the formation of carbon dioxide and water.

Incomplete combustion: If the amount of oxygen present is limited, it results in incomplete combustion of
fuel resulting in the formation of carbon monoxide and soot (carbon). During incomplete combustion, a part of
carbon that does not burn passes into the atmosphere in the form of soot. This not only causes wastage of
the fuel but also pollutes the atmosphere by producing highly poisonous carbon monoxide.
 Slide show!!!

Instruction for the learners: Each group will have 2 minutes

for presentation on the topic – ‘History and the burning
mechanism of a matchstick’.
 History of matchstick

A matchstick is a short thin piece of wood having chemicals coated at one end and is used to light
a fire by rubbing against some rough surface.
The history of matchstick is more than five thousand years old. In ancient Egypt, people used
small pieces of pine wood dipped in sulphur as matchsticks. The invention of modern safety
matchstick was done only about 200 years ago.
Earlier, matchsticks were made by applying a mixture of antimony sulphide, potassium chlorate
and white phosphorus with glue on the head of a stick. When it was struck against a rough
surface, the white phosphorus ignited due to the heat of friction.
However, white phosphorus proved to be dangerous for the workers involved in manufacturing it
and also the users.
Nowadays, the head of the safety matchsticks contains only antimony trisulphide and potassium
chlorate. The rubbing surface has powdered glass and little red phosphorus, which is not so
dangerous. When the matchstick is struck against the rubbing surface some of the red phosphorus
gets converted into white phosphorus. This white phosphorus reacts with potassium chlorate in the
matchstick head. It produces enough heat to ignite antimony trisulphide and start the combustion.
 History of matchstick

https://youtu.be/ACD596Kdwjo?si=GhcPIWKynRaoVtTQ
 History of matchstick
More than 5000 years ago small pieces of pinewood
dipped in sulphur were used as matches in ancient Egypt.
The modern safety match was developed only 200 years
ago. A mixture of antimony trisulphide, potassium chlorate
and white phosphorous with some glue and starch was
applied on the head of match made of wood.

The first friction matches were invented by John Walker,

an English chemist and apothecary, whose ledger of
April 7, 1827, records the first sale of such matches.
Walker's “Friction Lights” had tips coated with a
potassium chloride–antimony sulfide paste, which ignited
when scraped between a fold of sandpaper
 Video time!!!

Watch the video and elicit the answer of

following questions.

➢ What are inflammable substances?

➢ List some examples of inflammable
substances?
➢ What is a non-flammable substance?
➢ List some examples of non-flammable
substances?
➢ What principle will you use to extinguish a
fire, if any substance catches fire?
 Inflammable substances

Substances that have a very low ignition temperature and hence can catch fire easily
are called inflammable substances.e.g. LPG, petrol,diesel etc.
 What is a inflammable substances?

The substances which catches fire easily are

called inflammable substances. They catch
fire easily because their ignition
temperature is very low.
 Examples of inflammable substances.

examples of inflammable substances

Petrol, diesel, LPG and alcohol catch fire easily and are some examples of
inflammable substances.
 What is a non-flammable substances?

The substances which do not easily catch fire

are called non-flammable substances.
 Examples of non-flammable substances.

examples of non-flammable substances

Water, sand and stone don’t catch fire and are some examples of
non-flammable substances.
 What principle will you use to extinguish a fire, if any
substance catches fire?
There are three ways through which fire can
be extinguished. These are as follows.

1. by removing combustible substances

2. by cutting off the supply of air or oxygen
3. by bringing down the temperature of
combustible substances below their
ignition
temperature
Debatable question

Is CNG flammable? Is it safe to use CNG for running

vehicles? Justify.
Debatable question

Is CNG flammable? Is it safe to use CNG for running

vehicles? Justify.
Yes, CNG is a flammable. Yes it is safe to use CNG
for running vehicles because CNG does not catch fire
easily on hot surfaces, thereby, reducing the
probability of a mishap. It is more affordable to buy
CNG fuel for cars as it costs almost half the price of
petrol.
State whether the following statements are true or false

1. Fire can be extinguished by providing

the supply of water.

2. Substances that catches fire easily

are called inflammable substances.

3. Wood and paper are examples of

non-flammable substances.
State whether the following statements are true or false

1. Fire can be extinguished by providing

the supply of water. false

2. Substances that catches fire easily

are called inflammable substances. true

3. Wood and paper are examples of

non-flammable substances. false
Classify the substances as inflammable and non-flammable
substances.

petrol, sand, LPG, diesel, alcohol, water, CNG, iron rod, glass

Inflammable substances Non-flammable substances

 Classify the substances as inflammable and
non-flammable substances.
petrol, sand, LPG, diesel, alcohol, water, CNG, iron rod, glass

Inflammable substances Non-flammable substances

petrol sand

LPG water

diesel iron rod

alcohol glass

CNG
 Ways to control fire
A fre can be disastrous if not controlled in time.
Every city has a fire station equipped with fire
fighting equipment. You may have seen that
water is normally used to extinguish fire.
However, water does not extinguish all kinds of
fires.
Identify which device is used to extinguish the fire
 Discussion

➢ What is a fire extinguisher?

➢ Can you guess the principle on which a
fire extinguisher works?
 What is a fire extinguisher?

● A fire extinguisher is a
metal container that
contains water or
chemicals to stop or
control small fires.
Can you guess the principle on which a fire extinguisher works?

A fire extinguisher works mainly on two principles.

These are as follows.

• by cutting off the supply of air or oxygen

• by cooling the combustible substances below
their ignition temperature
 Ways to control fire
A fre can be disastrous if not controlled in fine. Every city has a fire station equipped with fire fighting
equipment. You may have seen that water is normally used to extinguish fire.
However, water does not extinguish all kinds of fires.

1. Removing the combustible substance:

However, this is not possible in case of say a building on fire, as the entire
building is the combustible substance.
 Ways to control fire

2. Cooling the substance to below its

ignition temperature:

This is normally done with the help of water. But

water works only when wood or paper are on fire.
Fire in electrical equipments cannot be controlled
with water as water conducts electricity.
Hence the person trying to extinguish the
fire can get an electric shock. Also, oil or petrol
fires cannot be put out by water as oil and petrol
are lighter than water. They float on water and
keep burning.
 Ways to control fire

3. Cutting off the supply of air

This can be done with the help of carbon dioxide

gas, which is not a supporter of combustion.
As it is heavier than air and forms a blanket
around the fire. Fire extinguishers that give off
carbon dioxide are used for this purpose. These
are available in smaller sizes for household
purposes. This method works well for electrical
and petrol fires.
Fire extinguisher
Fire extinguisher
Fire extinguisher
How to use water hoss?
 Fire extinguisher

Fire extinguishers are a device in

which carbon dioxide is produced in
different forms for use as the
extinguishing agent. It is a modem
type of fire extinguisher in which
liquid carbon dioxide is stored in a
steel cylinder under pressure.
 Fire extinguisher
There are three parts in a fire extinguisher:
1. Container
2. Bottle
3. Knob
The container of a fire extinguisher is cylindrical in shape. It contains sodium bicarbonate solution. The
small bottle contains concentrated sulphuric acid. This bottle is attached to the knob. For the chemical
reaction to take place, the knob is struck. The bottle breaks and sulphuric acid reacts with sodium
bicarbonate liberating large amount of CO, gas with great force.
It forms a blanket around the fire, cutting off the air supply, due to which the fire gets extinguished.
What are the commonly used fire extinguishers and how does
it work?
The simplest fire extinguisher is the soda-acid type fire
extinguisher. In this, the property of acids to liberate carbon dioxide
on reacting with carbonates and bicarbonates of metals is utilized. As
the gas carbon dioxide is evolved with brisk effervescence, it
extinguishes the fire when released over it as shown in fig.
There are three parts in a fire extinguisher:
* Container
* Bottle
* Knob
The container of a fire extinguisher is cylindrical in shape. It contains
sodium bicarbonate solution. The small bottle contains concentrated
sulphuric acid. This bottle is attached to the knob.
For the chemical reaction to take place, the knob is struck. The bottle
breaks and sulphuric acid reacts with sodium bicarbonate liberating
large amount of CO, gas with great force. It forms a blanket around
the fire, cutting off the air supply, due to which the fire gets
extinguished.
 Types of fire extinguisher
1. Soda- acid type fire extinguishers
2. Foam fire extinguishers effective on fire caused by solids and liquids
3. Dry powder fire extinguishers effective on fire caused by liquids and faulty electric wires
Why are different colour bands assigned for different types
of fire extinguishers?

A particular type of fire

extinguisher is used to
extinguish a specific type of
fire. So different colour bands
are assigned for the
identification of different
types of fire extinguishers.
● For example, a
red-coloured band
represents a water based
fire extinguisher.
 What are the commonly used fire extinguishers and
1
how does it work?
Water fire extinguisher: The water fire
extinguisher is the most common fire extinguisher
that we use.
Working:
Firefighters sprinkle water on combustible
substances to bring down their ignition
temperatures. This way, they prevent the fire
from spreading. When water is sprinkled, it
converts into water vapour. The water vapour
also surrounds the combustible substances and
cuts off the supply of air. Hence, the fire is
extinguished.
 What are the commonly used fire extinguishers and
2
how does it work?
Carbon dioxide fire extinguisher: The carbon
dioxide (CO2) fire extinguisher is the best
extinguisher to be used to extinguish fire caused
by any electrical equipment or inflammable
substances. This is because of the following
reasons.
• It does not support combustion.
• It does not harm electrical equipment.
• It is heavier than oxygen. Therefore, it covers
the combustible substance and cuts off the
supply of oxygen.
 What are the various ways in which fire
extinguishers can be supplied with carbon dioxide?

There are various ways in which fire

extinguishers can be supplied with carbon
dioxide are discussed below:
1. Storage of carbon dioxide in cylinders
under high pressure: Carbon dioxide is
stored in the form of liquid under high
pressure in fire extinguishers. When
released, it expands and forms a blanket
around the fire. This way, it brings down the
temperature of the combustible substance or
fuel and cuts off the contact with air.
 What are the various ways in which fire
extinguishers can be supplied with carbon dioxide?

2. Use of chemicals: When we sprinkle dry

powder of chemicals such as sodium
bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate near
the fire, they give off carbon dioxide and
extinguish the fire. Based on this principle,
sodium bicarbonate is used in soda-acid fire
extinguishers.
 Think Like a Scientist

How will you extinguish a fire in the following situations?

 Think Like a Scientist

Situation I: spraying carbon dioxide (Class E) fire extinguisher on the electric switch or
equipment
Situation II: using water (Class A) to extinguish fires involving solids such as paper,
wood, cloth and plastic
Situation III: by using halon (Class D) or dry powder (Class E) to extinguish fires
involving flammable liquids and gases
Situation IV: by using water (Class A)
Different types of fire extinguishers classes and their uses.
Different types of fire extinguishers classes and their uses.
 Critical-reading skill

Can you suggest some safety measures that should

be taken while handling fire incidents in the kitchen?
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
 Critical-reading skill

Can you suggest some safety measures that should be taken while handling fire
incidents in the kitchen?
Some safety measures that should be taken while handling fire incidents in the
kitchen are as follows.
1. Always wear cotton clothes and aprons while working in the kitchen.
2. Be extra careful while handling gas stoves and burners and while frying food
products in oil.
3. Keep the gas cylinder at a safe distance from the stove/burner. Also check
regularly in case of leakage of gas cylinders.
4. During fire incidents, do not pour water over the fire. Instead, cover the fire
with a non-flammable utensil or wet cloth. Also, make sure you get to a safe
distance and call for help immediately.
Complete the concept map
Complete the concept map
 Video time

Instruction for the learners: watch the video carefully

and answer the following questions.
➢ What are the different types of combustion?
➢ Define the following:
a. rapid combustion
b. spontaneous combustion
c. explosive combustion
What are the different types of combustion?

Combustion is mainly of three types. They are as follows.

 Rapid combustion

● The combustion that needs external heat to start

and produce a large amount of heat and light in a
short period of time is known as rapid
combustion.

● For example, when a burning matchstick is

brought near the wick of a candle, it starts
burning.
 Rapid combustion

The combustion in which the combustible substance burns rapidly and

produces heat and light is called rapid combustion.
Large amount of heat and light is released in a very short span of time
The substances which undergo rapid combustion have lower ignition
temperatures.
For Example: 1)when we bring a matchstick near the gas stove it
rapidly catches fire.

During rapid combustion, there is sufficient supply of air and hence the
combustion is complete. This type of combustion often results in a
flame.
 Spontaneous combustion

● The combustion that starts by itself

without any external heat is called
spontaneous combustion.

● For example, coal dust fires in coal mines.

 Spontaneous combustion

When a material bursts into flame without application of heat is called

spontaneous combustion.

When a small piece of phosphorus or sodium is kept in air for some time , it
suddenly burst into flames. The ignition temperature of white phosphorous is
35C. So no external heat is required to start it
In coal mines, the combustion of coal dust results in fire break outs. This
happens several times
 Explosive combustion

● The combustion wherein large amounts of gases are

liberated with the evolution of heat, light and sound is
called an explosion. It is also known as an explosive
combustion.

● For example, the blowing up of a dynamite or a bomb.

 Explosion

Combustion in which a sudden reaction takes

place with the evolution of heat, light and sound is
known as explosion. Example: ignition of fire
crackers.Dynamite explosion, shot of a gun

When a mixture of combustible material and air

completely burns in a very short span of time in
same closed space, explosion combustion takes
place.

The distinguishing characteristic of an explosion is

the rapid rate of reaction.
The sudden buildup of expanding gas pressure at
the origin of the explosion produces the violent
physical disruption of the surrounding environment
What is the difference between complete combustion and
incomplete combustion?

Complete combustion Incomplete combustion

It takes place in the presence of a It takes place in the presence of an

sufficient amount of air or oxygen. insufficient amount of air or oxygen.

In this combustion, complete oxidation In this combustion, partial oxidation of

of the fuel takes place. the fuel takes place.

It produces carbon dioxide, water, heat It produces carbon monoxide, soot,

and light. water, heat and light.

It produces a blue-coloured flame It produces a yellow-coloured flame with

without smoke. smoke.

The flame of a gas stove is an example. The flame of a burning paper is an

example.
Critical-thinking question

Why does complete

combustion have
blue-coloured flame?
Critical-thinking question

Why does complete combustion have

blue coloured flame?
When complete combustion occurs, there
should be a lot of oxygen. CO2 will be
formed along with release of lot of heat.
This heat causes oxygen and CO2 to
excite, and their combined colour is blue.
 Identify which type of combustion is it?

blowing of a dynamite, burning of phosphorus, burning of LPG, coal

dust fires in coal mines, burning of firecracker

spontaneous explosive
rapid combustion:
combustion: combustion:
_______________
_______________ _______________
_______________
_______________ _______________
_______________
_______________ _______________
 Identify which type of combustion is it?

blowing of a dynamite, burning of phosphorus, burning of LPG,coal

dust fires in coal mines, burning of firecracker

spontaneous explosive
combustion: combustion:
rapid combustion:
coal dust fires in coal burning of
burning of LPG
mines and burning of firecracker, blowing
phosphorus of a dynamite
 State whether the following statements are true or false.

1. The blowing up of a dynamite or a 3. In complete combustion carbon

bomb is an example of an dioxide, water, heat and light is
explosive combustion. produced.

4. The combustion that needs external

heat to start and produce a large
2. In incomplete combustion, partial amount of heat and light in a short
oxidation of the fuel takes place. period of time is known as explosive
combustion.
 State whether the following statements are true or false.

1. The blowing up of a dynamite or a 3. In complete combustion carbon

bomb is an example of an dioxide, water, heat and light is
explosive combustion. false Produced. true

4. The combustion that needs external

2. In incomplete combustion, partial heat to start and produce a large
oxidation of the fuel takes place. amount of heat and light in a short
true period of time is known as explosive
combustion. false
Observe the image and find the difference in the flame of
the shown images.
Observe the image and find the difference in the flame of the
shown images.
flame

Burning of camphor
has a flame while coal
doesn’t have flame.
 What is flame?

● Flame is defined as
the glowing gaseous
part of fire.
Why do some substances burn with flame and some don't
burn with flame?

● Substances, such as
camphor, LPG,
kerosene and wax,
vapourise on heating.
Thus, they burn with a
flame.
● Substances like
charcoal or coal do
not burn with a flame.
What are two different types of flame?

1. luminous flame
● When a substance burns with a
yellow flame due to an insufficient
supply of oxygen, the flame it
produces is called a luminous
flame. It leaves behind soot and
other residues due to an
incomplete combustion of the
substance.
● For example, the flame of a candle
is an example of luminous flame.
What are two different types of flame?

2. non-luminous flame
● Substances like LPG burn with a
blue flame due to a sufficient
supply of oxygen. This blue
flame produced is called a
non-luminous flame.
● It does not leave behind any soot
or other residue due to complete
combustion of the substance.
● The flame of an LPG is an example
of a non-luminous flame.
What are two different types of flame?
In how many zones the flame of a candle can be divided?

non-luminous
luminous zone zone (blue)
A flame consists of three (yellow)

zones based on the amount of

oxygen available. They are as
follows:
• luminous zone
• non-luminous zone
• dark zone
dark zone
(black)
In how many zones the flame of a candle can be divided?

Each zone has its particular colour and temperature.

 Candle flame
A candle has two parts:
The wax (paraffin wax) that serves as a fuel. It is a hydrocarbon obtained from petroleum.
The wick, made of a material that can absorb liquids.
When a candle is lighted, the wax in and near the wick melts. The wick absorbs the liquid wax
and pulls it upward. The heat of the flame vaporizes the wax—it is this wax vapour that burns.

The non-luminous zone or the zone of complete combustion is the hottest part of the candle
flame. It is the outermost zone of the flame. Because of adequate supply of oxygen, complete
combustion occurs. The flame appears blue. However, it is very thin and may not be visible.
The luminous zone or the zone of incomplete combustion is moderately hot. It is the middle
zone of the flame.
The wax vapours do not burn completely as the supply of oxygen is inadequate.
The carbon particles produced because of incomplete combustion glow, giving this zone its
bright yellow colour. The flame leaves black soot on an object placed in the zone.
* The dark zone or the zone of no combustion is the least hot. It is the innermost zone of the
flame, in the area surrounding the wick. Here the wax vapours do not come in contact with
oxygen, and hence do not burn.
* The blue zone is a small region at the base of the wick. Here the carbon monoxide produced
in the inner zones due to incomplete combustion burns with a blue colour.
Candle flame
 Activity time!!!

Aim: to study the different zones of a candle flame.

Materials required: a candle, a table, a matchbox, a pair of tongs, a glass slide, a long copper
wire and a thin glass tube
Procedure:
1. Fix three lit candles on the table.
Case I
2.Hold a thin glass tube using tongs and place
one of its ends in the dark zone of the flame.
Bring the lit matchstick to the other end of
the glass tube.
Observation:
A flame is produced on the other end of the glass tube due to the
______________________________________________________________
 Activity time!!!
Case II
3. Hold a glass slide with tongs and place it into
the middle zone of the candle flame. Hold for
about two minutes and then, remove it from the
flame.
Observation:
A circular, black ring is formed on the glass slide
due to the
______________________________________________________________
Case III
4. Hold a long copper wire with tongs and place
it in the outermost zone of the candle flame.
Hold for a few minutes and then, remove it
from the flame.
Observation:
The copper wire turns red hot because
______________________________________________________________
 Observation and Conclusion
Case I
Observation:
A flame is produced on the other end of the glass tube due to the vapourised wax of candle.
Case II
Observation:
A circular, black ring is formed on the glass slide due to the unburnt carbon particles remain
and cause black deposition.
Observation:
The copper wire turns red hot because the utmost heat is present at the outermost zone.
Conclusion:
A candle flame has three zone-
a. non-luminous zone (blue): the hottest part of the flame.
b. luminous zone (yellow): modert heat and partial combustion take place due to lack of
oxygen.
c. dark zone (black)
Label the different zones of candle

2.

1.

3.
Label the different zones of candle

2. non-luminous
zone (blue)
1. luminous
zone (yellow)

3. dark zone
(black)
 Identify the odd one out and justify.

1 3

2 4
 Identify the odd one out and justify.

Image 3 is the odd one out because

except the image 3 all other images
burn with flame.

3
List the different types of fuel you have observed around
yourselves.
 Discussion

➢ Can you list the different types of fuel? [Group-1]

➢ What does the term calorific value of fuel
mean?[Group-2]
➢ Among cow dung and kerosene oil,which will burn
more efficiently?[Group-3]
➢ What should be the characteristics of ideal
fuel?[Group-4]
➢ Do you think combustion of fuel causes any harm to
the environment?[Group-5]
➢ List some of the harmful effects of fuels on
environment.[Group-6]
List the different types of fuel you have observed around
yourselves.

LPG, kerosene, coal, wood and

petrol are some examples of fuels.
 Can you list the different types of fuel?

Fuels are mainly of three types based on the physical state of a substance.
 What does the term calorific value of fuel mean?

● Fuels produce heat on burning. Different fuels produce

different amounts of heat. The efficiency
of a particular fuel is expressed in terms of its calorific value.
● The amount of heat produced by the complete combustion of
1 kilogram (kg) of fuel is called its calorific value or fuel
efficiency.
● The more the calorific value of fuel, the more is the efficiency
of the fuel.
● It is expressed in a unit of kilojoules per kilogram or kJ/kg.
 What does the term calorific value of fuel mean?

The calorific values of some fuels are given in the table provided.
 Among cow dung and kerosene oil,which will burn
more efficiently?

● The calorific value of kerosene is

45,000 kJ/kg. It means that when 1
kilogram of kerosene is burnt
completely, it produces 45,000 kJ
of heat energy while cow dung
cakes has 6,000-8,000 kj/kg, so
kerosene oil will burn more
efficiently.
 What should be the characteristics of ideal fuel?

An ideal fuel should have the following

characteristics.
• It should be cheap and readily available.
• It should not produce any kind of pollution.
• It should have an ignition temperature that is above
room temperature.
• It should have a high calorific value.
• It should burn at a moderate rate.
• It should be easy to store, transport and handle.
• It should be eco-friendly.
Example of ideal fuel is LPG, CNG, e.t.c..
Complete the concept map
Complete the concept map
Difference between rapid and spontaneous combustion
 Difference between LPG and Wood

LPG WOOD
It is gaseous fuel. It is solid fuel..
It does not produce smoke. It produces smoke.
Its calorific value is more (55000 Its calorific value is less (17000
kJ/kg). kJ/kg).
It is easily stored in cylinders. It requires more space to store.
It does not cause any pollution. It causes more pollution.