Question

Which two kinds of energy are associated with flames? And a campfire ,carbon from wood reacts with oxygen in a combustion reaction. If you have ever started a campfire you know you must begin by lighting small pieces of wood instead of logs likewise in a video it shows Iron filings burn in the presence of air to make iron oxide why do iron fillings burn while a heavy iron pipe does not? Why do twigs ignite better than logs? Give your answer in terms of atoms.

Answer 1

The two kinds of energy associated with flames are light and heat.

To burn something in contact with air it must be heated to its ignition temperature. Iron has a strong molecular force of attraction. So, when heated it doesn't burn. But iron fillings when sprinkled in flames attain the in=gnition temperature quickly.

The same reason is valid for the twigs and the logs. Kindling or smaller pieces have a lot of surface area and therefore have more contact with oxygen, making them easier to burn.