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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: njgrl2 on March 29, 2006, 05:32:52 PM

Title: Why does Oxygen burn?
Post by: njgrl2 on March 29, 2006, 05:32:52 PM

ok so i know that oxygen burns....and i know many of the properties of oxygen, but i cant seem to figure out a simple explanation to why it burns. thanks  :D

~Katie

Title: Re:oxygen
Post by: Mitch on March 29, 2006, 08:57:34 PM

It could be because it's simply a good oxidizer?

Title: Re:Why does Oxygen burn?
Post by: UkraineWithAim on March 30, 2006, 04:11:57 AM

Quote from: njgrl2 on March 29, 2006, 05:32:52 PM

ok so i know that oxygen burns....and i know many of the properties of oxygen, but i cant seem to figure out a simple explanation to why it burns. thanks  :D

~Katie

As far, as I understand, burning is considered to be a process of oxidation, and if oxygen burns, it gets oxidised. It is very hard to oxidise it though, and the only way is by fluorine:
O2+2F2=2OF2,
which is a slow process.
Other substances, however, burn in Oxygen because it is such a good oxidising agent.