Combustion

Percentage of Oxygen in Air We have read that Air consists mainly of molecules of oxygen and nitrogen with important yet trace amounts of other gases. We know that the combustion of organic material requires oxygen. The idea here is to capture a quantity of air in a measured and isolated volume and then use up all the oxygen by burning something. The remaining volume will be mostly molecular nitrogen. Equipment needed flasks water container candles rulers thermometer Procedure The volume of a flask is measured. Water is placed in a container along with a thermometer, and a flask inverted over a lit candle resting in the water. Eventually the candle goes out. Measure the height of water relative to the original water height. Calculate the volume. From the total volume, assumed to be oxygen and nitrogen, compute the percentage of oxygen.   Suppose the heights of air were measured… Read More »AIR AND COMBUSTION