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From: tmoody@sjuvax.UUCP (T. Moody)
Newsgroups: net.sci,net.space
Subject: Re: Would a candle burn ...
Message-ID: <1206@sjuvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 24-Jul-85 01:05:20 EDT
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Posted: Wed Jul 24 01:05:20 1985
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Xref: watmath net.sci:383 net.space:4319

> ... in space?
> 
> This question came up the other day in discussion.  We seemed to think
> that there would be problems because in the absence of a gravity field
> the heated air would not rise.  Thus CO2 would not be pulled away from
> the area of burning and O2 would not be pulled in.  Therefore
> combustion would not be continuous.
> 
> What do you all think.  Have there been any experiments in this area.
> I can see how NASA would be leary of any such experiment.  A fire in
> space would be worse than a fire on a sailing vessel.  However, if the
> above hypothisis is correct, such a fire would never happen.  And if
> there was a fire, where would you point the fire extiguister?
> 
> Wanting to go for a ride on the Shuttle!
> Gregg Lobdell
> Boeing Aerospace {I only work for them and their opinions aren't mine}
As to whether a candle would burn in null-g:  Seems to me that the 
kinetic energy of combustion would take care of expelling the CO2.  As
for the oxygen supply, I suspect that's done by atmospheric pressure, not
gravity, anyway.  It would *look* different, though.