Final answer:
Using oxygen with acetylene generates an exceedingly hot flame used in oxyacetylene torches for metal welding and cutting, reaching temperatures over 3000°C.
Step-by-step explanation:
Using oxygen with acetylene makes the torch flame much hotter than the standard blowtorch. Acetylene, when burned in oxygen, creates a very hot flame that is used in oxyacetylene torches for various applications such as cutting and welding metals. Oxyacetylene torches can reach temperatures over 3000°C, taking advantage of the high heat of combustion that acetylene offers. The reaction of acetylene in oxygen is highly exothermic, significantly hotter than flames produced by the combustion of other gases like butane, methane, or propane with oxygen.
An oxyacetylene torch's intense heat results from the energy released during the exothermic combustion of acetylene, providing the necessary heat to melt metals for welding and cutting applications. This process also emphasizes the need for safety precautions due to the explosive nature of acetylene when mixed with oxygen. As one of the essential tools for welders, the oxyacetylene torch is standard in metalworking and fabrication.