Spark, no oxygen?

laiman · 31 May 2006 at 21:49

Can a spark be created withought oxygen, i suspect yes but my physics is a bit rusty and im not too sure anyone know for sure?

cheers

TriedandTested · 31 May 2006 at 21:53

No way.

G-MAN2004 · 31 May 2006 at 21:54

Tried&Tested said:
No way.

This man speaks the truth. He's tried and tested it

TriedandTested · 31 May 2006 at 21:56

"...you can't have one without the..other!"

monkeypants · 31 May 2006 at 21:58

Yes, yes you can. A spark is glowing hot material (usually metal), it can't ignite but it can still glow.

PhilthyPhil · 31 May 2006 at 22:00

A spark is just ionised gas, I see no reason why that gas has to be oxygen :confused:

the_brainaic · 31 May 2006 at 22:01

Definitive answer:
Yes

TriedandTested · 31 May 2006 at 22:03

the_brainaic said:
Definitive answer:
Yes

But i used diagrams to support my argument. Surely that means i'm right?

I'd be more likely to believe me than you.

laiman · 31 May 2006 at 22:11

i believe its yes as some of you seem to be confusing spark with burn, have definitive nasa analysis anywas so its all good.

Dj_Jestar · 31 May 2006 at 22:12

Tried&Tested said:
But i used diagrams to support my argument. Surely that means i'm right?

I'd be more likely to believe me than you.

You used diagrams to support the no oxygen, no fire theory.

Spark != Fire.

G-MAN2004 · 31 May 2006 at 22:12

You can get sparks in a vacuum without oxygen by incandescence. Apparently.

Tru · 31 May 2006 at 22:13

It's OK guys, it's the internet, you're all right.

Ricochet J · 31 May 2006 at 22:18

Im going to say the same thing everyone else has said and yes. It's because the oxygen is a fuel in its self for a spark. It is it's molecular structure which favours the spark. I could be wrong though, i'm not much of a Chemist. I'm an A Level Physician and Mathematician.

FincH · 31 May 2006 at 22:25

I'd say yes.

SourChipmunk · 31 May 2006 at 22:27

G-MAN2004 said:
You can get sparks in a vacuum without oxygen by incandescence. Apparently.

Proof is in the ceiling?

William · 31 May 2006 at 22:29

A-Level chemistry says you need no oxygen.

Spark can be a glowing hot particle like metal flying off a angle grinder.

Or an electrostatic discharge like a sparkplug which needs a gas to travel across.

NicktheNorse · 31 May 2006 at 22:31

theres one thing ive always wondered but never been able to rationally answer:

can you fire a revolver in space? (or a vacuum, whatever)

William · 31 May 2006 at 22:32

NicktheNorse said:
theres one thing ive always wondered but never been able to rationaly answer:

can you fire a revolver in space? (or a vacuum, whatever)

If enough oxygen was sealed in the cartridge for combustion to fully occur then yeah.

NicktheNorse · 31 May 2006 at 22:34

William said:
If enough oxygen was sealed in the cartridge for combustion to fully occur then yeah.

/know nothing about guns...

are bullet cartridges air tight?

edit: wheres feek when you need him?

William · 31 May 2006 at 22:34

NicktheNorse said:
/know nothing about guns...

are bullet cartridges air tight?

I don't know.