Question

On placing an inverted tumbler over a burning candle, the flame extinguishes after some time. This is because of the non-availability of:

• A. Oxygen
• B. Water vapors
• C. Carbon dioxide
• D. Wax

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Oxygen

The correct option is (A):

The explanation for the correct answer is:

Combustion:

1. It is basically a chemical process in which the fuel gets combined with the Oxygen gas just to release energy in the form of heat and light.
2. This heat can be used for the production of electricity, for running cars and also for cooking.
3. During this combustion process, Oxygen in the air gets combined with Carbon atoms to produce Carbon dioxide and Hydrogen atoms to produce water.
4. Without the presence of Oxygen, one cannot use these fuels for our daily life needs.
5. And too much Oxygen can cause uncontrolled burning as well as explosions.
6. So, on placing an inverted tumbler over a burning candle, the flame extinguishes after some time just because of the non-availability of Oxygen and the main reason being that the Oxygen is needed for burning.

An explanation for the incorrect answers:

Option (B):

Water vapors:

1. So, as in the inverted glass jar the candle stops burning.
2. There would be a decrease in the air volume.
3. And as the oxygen gets depleted, the candle goes out and the air will get cool.
4. Therefore, there would be a decrease in the volume of air, and the water rises.
5. So, there would be the availability of water vapor.

Option (C):

Carbon dioxide:

1. A burning candle when inverted with the glass tumbler.
2. The candle gets extinguished after some time because of the presence of Carbon dioxide gas.

Option (D):

Wax

1. The candle is made up of wax.
2. So even after placing an inverted tumbler over a burning candle.
3. When the flame extinguishes there would be presence of wax , which won't affect the burning candle and it's flame.

Hence, the correct option is (A): Oxygen.