• Question: What materials are good for burning?

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      Asked by Rosie Roo to Elizabeth, James, Martin, Martin, Rob on 16 Mar 2015. This question was also asked by Bethy Boo, Ice cream.
      • Photo: James Coombs OBrien

        James Coombs OBrien answered on 16 Mar 2015:


        First it’ll be good to understand why things burn.

        It’s important to remember that all materials want to have less energy. Sometime they need a kick or a spark or some fire to release energy and therefore have less energy. This is why things burn. They give out energy in the form of heat and light (fire) when you heat them up enough.

        Atoms join together using bonds to form large materials. When you burn something you are breaking the bonds between atoms and then react them with oxygen. The new bonds with oxygen release energy when they are made which means the first keeps on going!

        So a lot of things burn but only if the stuff they make after burning has less energy
        Thanks for your question!

      • Photo: Elizabeth Cooper

        Elizabeth Cooper answered on 17 Mar 2015:


        To keep a fire going you need oxygen, heat and fuel. The best materials for burning are things like wood, or a flammable gas like natural gas or petroleum.

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