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For something to catch fire, three elements are required. Fuel, oxygen and heat. These must co-exist for a sufficient period of time for a fire to propagate. The absence of any of these three elements will prevent a fire occurring. Sparks are small entities that are in the process of completing the combustion process. So, when a spark flies onto your clothing it will not set fire because 1. your clothing are not sufficiently flammable (lack of fuel) and 2. there is not enough time for the spark to heat your clothing to the temperature required to ignite your clothes. However, if your clothes are doused in gasoline (or petrol) the spark will ensure a very whooof ending!! DO NOT try this at home.
Also it's important to remember the difference between heat and temperature. Each spark has quite a high temperature, but, being very small, not much heat. It therefore cools off very quickly when it hits the clothing. In fact, it will have cooled quite a lot even before hitting the clothing.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThe sparks are very hot, but very, very small. So the total energy contained is not very much. It's kind of like charging $1000/ticket for a show and selling ten tickets, vs. charging $10/ticket but selling 100,000 tickets. The total amount in the first case is $10,000, but in the second case, $1,000,000. The total amount of energy will determine the total damage.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoWhile the sparks do have a high temperature, over 1000 degrees fahrenheit, they do not have much thermal energy and the clothing just "absorbs" most of it
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Why do people in desert countries usually wear light colored clothing and some sort of headgear?
Dark colors absorb the heat from the sun's ray and lighter colored clothing reflects the heat away. Covering the head, especially in a light color also protects the head from the heat of the sun and protects the skin from sun burn.
Why doesnt paper burn every time it contacts oxygen?
A fire requires three things. It requires heat or a source of ignition, oxygen, and fuel. Paper being the fuel, and oxygen, are only two of the three things required for a fire.
What materials in clothes burns the fastest?
Previous answers to this question have stated that cotton burns the fastest, while synthetic fabrics burn slowest, such as Nylon. I believe this is inaccurate. My experience as a chemist tells me that synthetic clothing such as Nylon and polyester burn much more quickly than cotton.
What is another name for a first degree burn?
It is also know as a superficial burn. It is the least severe type of burn.
Is 2x4 good to burn?
yeah its wood it'll burn
Where does the solid substance on a sparkler go?
They burn up.
Why does a sparkler burn top to bottom?
Aha! A sparkler burns top to bottom only because you light the top. If you lit the bottom, it would burn bottom to top. If you lit the middle, it would burn both directions from the middle.
Why are sparklers dangerous?
Sparklers can be dangerous, because when you are using a sparkler you are most likely not holding it still & you are probably moving it around & shaking it. This causes the sparks to fly even more & they could end up hitting you or people around you, & they could burn you.
How do you treat a sparkler burn?
silver sulfadiazie after cold water compress-not ice...see physician asap
What colour does the sparkler burn of burning magnesium?
An intense white flame is produced when magnesium burns.
What are the two things wood needs to burn?
flint +sparks
What color does cobalt burn?
Imagine a sparkler... Cobalt Chloride sends off millions of tiny, yellow sparks that shoot upward with the flame. Do not get to close when doing a flame test
The sparks from a firecracker are red hot yet they do not burn tour skin why?
no information
What clothing should be removed from a burn victim?
Only burnt clothing that comes off easily should be removed; any clothing embedded in the burn should not be disturbed.
Why sparks from a firecrackers a red hot yet they do not burn your skin?
Sparks have a lot of heat which makes them glow. But they do not have temperature. Heat will not cause burns only temperature can. This article might explain why http://www.wereyouwondering.com/what-is-the-difference-between-heat-and-temperature/
Is razor spark scooter a good scooter?
In my opinion, no! It is extremely dangerous as if an innocent civilian is behind you and sparks fly into their face or clothing, it can shock them or even burn them. Also, the spark cartridges are very expensive and don't even last that long.
Cut my grass to short what do you do?
hope it doesnt burn out and die
