Combustion is a chemical process where a substance reacts with oxygen to produce heat. A flame is the visible gaseous part of a fire caused by a highly exothermic reaction. For a fire to burn, it requires fuel, oxygen, and heat to reach the ignition temperature of the fuel. Several activities are described to demonstrate these concepts. Activity 1 shows that a flame needs oxygen by extinguishing a candle flame under a glass. Activity 2 shows that coal burns without a flame while a candle burns with a flame. Activity 3 examines the different zones of a candle flame. Activity 4 demonstrates that a substance must reach its ignition temperature to burn by preventing a paper cup of water from burning.

1. Combustion and Flame
A Project Based Learning Chapter

2. What exactly is Combustion ?
A chemical process in which a substance reacts with oxygen to
give off heat is called combustion. The substance which
undergoes combustion is called a combustible substance. It is
also
known as a fuel.

3. What is a Flame ?
A flame (from Latin flamma) is the visible, gaseous part of
a fire. It is caused by a highly exothermic reaction taking
place in a thin zone.
it has many layers.

4. What conditions are required for
a fire/flame to survive ?
The conditions required are-
• Fuel
• Air/oxygen
• HEAT to reach ignition temperature

5. PBL Activities

6. Activity Number 1
• Aim-To show different components essential for combustion.
• MATERIALS REQUIRED- A candle, fire to light the candle, a glass
tumbler
• METHOD-Take the candle and light it with fire. Now, after sometime,
cover the candle with the glass tumbler carefully , While covering the
tumbler notice the size of the flame. OBSERVE.

7. Activity Number 1
• OBSERVATION- WE OBSERVE THAT THE CANDLE BURNS
PROPERLY WHEN IT IS NOT COVERED BY A GLASS.WE ALSO
OBSERVE THAT THE FLAME GOES OFF A FEW MINUTES
AFTER WE COVER IT WITH A GLASS.
• RESULT-WE CONCLUDE THAT FIRE/FLAME NEEDS
AIR/oxygen TO BURN.

9. Activity Number 2
• AIM-To show that some substances burn with flame and some
others do not give out flame.
• MATERIALS REQUIRED-A piece of coal, a candle and matchstick
• METHOD-Take the candle and light it with the help of a
matchstick . Take the piece of coal and burn it with fire. Now
observe both of them for sometime.

10. Activity Number 2
• OBSERVATION-WE OBSERVE THAT CANDLE HAS A FLAME
WHEREAS THE COAL GLOWS.
• RESULT- WE CONCLUDE THAT THE CANDLE BURNS WITH
A FLAME BUT THE COAL DOES NOT HAVE A FLAME.

12. Activity Number 3
• AIM-To show different zones of a flame.
• MATERIALS REQUIRED-A candle , a matchstick
• CAUTION-(Do this activity by switching off the fan or else the flame
will not be stable!!!)
• METHOD-Take the candle in a candle stand and light it with a
matchstick. Now observe the flame of the candle for sometime . Notice
the different zones of the flame .

13. Activity Number 3
• Note down your observations on a piece of paper by drawing
the structure of the flame and by marking different zones .
Finally, write down your inference based on your observation and
through your picture you have drawn.
• Result-Hence we are able to observe the different layers of the
flame.

15. Activity Number 4
• Aim-To show that ignition temperature is essential to reach for any
substance to burn.
• Materials Required-Two paper cups, water and two lighted candle.
• Method-Take the paper cups and pour water in one of the cups . Light
two candles . Hold the paper cups on top of the candle flame
separately . Observe what happens. Note down your observations in
both the cases.

16. Activity Number 4
• Observation-we observe that the cup without water starts burning
quickly whilst the cup with water does not burn and the water starts
boiling since cup is unable to reach ignition temperature due to
conduction.
• Result-we observe that ignition temperature is absolutely necessary for
burning of a fuel.

18. Here’s a cool video to watch
about the fire triangle