Lily P.

asked • 12/15/20

Igniting Alcohol

Hi!

I have a question:

When I ignite a specific alcohol, let's say propanol, it does not catch on fire. But when I dip a piece of paper in propanol and ignite it, then I will see a flame. Why does it only work when the paper is dipped in alcohol?

1 Expert Answer

By:

J.R. S. answered • 12/15/20

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Well, it will depend on the flash point of the alcohol. Actually, propanol has a low enough flash point that you don't need to dip a piece of paper in it to have it ignite. It will ignite on its own. As you get to higher and higher alcohols for example (pentanol, hexanol, octanol, etc), the flash point goes up and you might need a carrier material with a lower flash point in order to ignite/combust them.

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Lily P.

Thanks for the answer! Oh okay, but why will the paper still be useful? Is it only because it has a flower flash point and therefore it produces vapor that can ignite? Although I can't find where the alcohol fits into this picture..?
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12/15/20

J.R. S.

tutor
I think there's a difference between "igniting" and "burning" or combustion. Combustion/burning is simply converting the alcohol to CO2 and H2O whereas igniting suggests a visible flame owing to the alcohol (not the paper). So, I think with the higher alcohols you have combustion, not really "ignition". These are just my thoughts, not necessarily factual.
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12/15/20

Lily P.

Oh okay, in the extra questions paper i got from school it says "ignition of alcohols". But what about in combustion? Is it in combustion that the paper helps the alcohol to flame up faster?
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12/15/20

J.R. S.

tutor
It's almost is a matter of semantics at this point (in my opinion). If you supply sufficient heat the alcohol will burn/combust to produce CO2 and H2O. So, does the alcohol "flame up" faster? I'm not sure I'd use that term, but I'd say it burns in a chemical reaction producing carbon dioxide and water.
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12/15/20

Lily P.

Okay, thank you!
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12/15/20

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