Structure of a Flame

A flame is a region where gaseous elements burn, creating heat and light in the process. Every combustible material, including liquids and gases, burns with a flame. Let us understand the structure of flame with the help of a candle:

A candle is a source of light. It consists of a block of solid fuel with an inserted wick. There are three zones in the candle flame. Specifically, the hotter zones are the outside zone, also known as the non-luminous zone, the middle zone, also known as the luminous zone, and the innermost zone, also known as the dark zone, which does not experience combustion.

The outer zone of the flame is blue. The outer zone is the non-luminous zone at which wax’s complete combustion occurs due to a sufficient oxygen supply. The middle zone of the flame is yellow. The middle zone is the brightest of all zones, and thus it is the luminous zone where incomplete combustion occurs due to limited air supply. The inner zone of the flame is black.

The innermost layer of the flame is called the inner zone or combustion zone. The middle layer of the flame is called the middle zone or flame zone. The outermost layer of the flame is called the outer zone or heat radiation zone. The outer zone is where the flames get their blue colour. Flames are often described as teardrops with a small, round base and a long, thin tail. The base of the flame is where the fuel is being burned, and the tail is the hottest part of the flame.

What is Flame and Structure of a Flame – NCERT Class-8 Notes: A flame is the visible part of a fire. It is a hot, glowing gas that produces light and heat. Flames are usually caused by a chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidizer. The fuel is typically a hydrocarbon, such as wood, gas, or oil. The oxidizer is usually oxygen, but it can also be another substance, such as chlorine or fluorine. When a fuel and an oxidizer are mixed in the right proportions, they will react to produce heat and light. This reaction is called combustion. The heat from the combustion reaction causes the gas to expand and glow, creating a flame.

In this article, we will look into the meaning and structure of flame. It is an important concept of class 8 Science. Students can go through this article to get comprehensive notes on the meaning and structure of flame.