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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.

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Why dont sparklers burn your clothes?

It might seem surprising, but sparklers won't usually burn your clothes since the sparks that they produce are minute and release heat quickly after they have detached from the stick. Although the sparkler is extremely hot while burning, the sparks are too brief and light to inflict any damage when they touch clothes — especially common clothing like cotton or denim. All the same, sparklers still present a threat if you don't watch your step. Some materials (silk or tulle, for instance) are more fragile and could be set on fire by the hot end of the sparkler. It's always safe, therefore, to hold sparklers at arm's length and away from garments, especially during events where people are all dressed up — like weddings, say. Here at Wedding Day Sparklers, provide the highest-quality wedding sparklers that are perfect for send-offs, photos, and providing a festive, safe atmosphere. Just be responsible in using them, and you'll get all the sparkle without the stress.


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.

Related Questions

Where does the solid substance on a sparkler go?

They burn up.


What do you call the fireworks tha you hold in your hands until it is finished?

Those are called handheld fireworks or sparklers. They are typically smaller fireworks that emit colorful sparks and are meant to be held in the hand while they burn.


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 dont you get burend by the sparks of a sparkler?

well for example if you place your hands in a bowl of water at 100 degrees you will be badly burnt but if you hold a sparkler at 2000 degress you will not fell it because there are a fewer molecules in the sparkler than the hot bowl of water


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


The reason that the white-hot sparks that strike your skin from a 4th-of-July-type sparkler don't harm you is because?

the duration of contact is very short, limiting the transfer of heat to your skin. Additionally, the sparks from sparklers don't have enough energy to cause significant harm. The sparks are also made of material that burns quickly, reducing the chance of causing a burn.


What element is used in a sparkler to make the sparkle?

A sparkler consists of several substances:An oxidizerA fuelIron, steel, aluminum, or other metal powderA combustible binderIn addition to these components, colorants and compounds to moderate the chemical reaction also may be added. Often, firework fuel is charcoal and sulfur. Sparklers simply may use the binder as the fuel. The binder is usually sugar, starch, or shellac. Potassium nitrate or potassium chlorate may be used as oxidizers. Metals are used to create the sparks. Sparkler formulae may be quite simple. For example, a sparkler may consist only of potassium perchlorate, titanium or aluminum, and dextrin.


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


Why dont sparklers burn your clothes?

It might seem surprising, but sparklers won't usually burn your clothes since the sparks that they produce are minute and release heat quickly after they have detached from the stick. Although the sparkler is extremely hot while burning, the sparks are too brief and light to inflict any damage when they touch clothes — especially common clothing like cotton or denim. All the same, sparklers still present a threat if you don't watch your step. Some materials (silk or tulle, for instance) are more fragile and could be set on fire by the hot end of the sparkler. It's always safe, therefore, to hold sparklers at arm's length and away from garments, especially during events where people are all dressed up — like weddings, say. Here at Wedding Day Sparklers, provide the highest-quality wedding sparklers that are perfect for send-offs, photos, and providing a festive, safe atmosphere. Just be responsible in using them, and you'll get all the sparkle without the stress.


The sparks from a firecracker are red hot yet they do not burn tour skin why?

no information