5
$\begingroup$

While discussing magma in class with my students, I showed a video of a man throwing water onto molten, running lava. A large flame ensued. I realize that the water is being converted into steam and expanding extremely rapidly, but why does this create a small "explosion," if you will?

Surely none of the lava is being "atomized" into the air in small droplets, is it? But even so, they would not light aflame.

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
6
  • $\begingroup$ youtube.com/watch?v=0XgpYXVN-Kk $\endgroup$
    – Nilay Ghosh
    Commented Jan 25, 2017 at 3:47
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ Are you certain it was a flame and not just lava bubbles with thin enough walls that it appeared more orange than red, thus giving the illusion of a flame? $\endgroup$
    – airhuff
    Commented Jan 25, 2017 at 4:22
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ I think linking the video you are referring to would be potentially helpful in answering this question. $\endgroup$
    – ringo
    Commented Jan 25, 2017 at 4:45
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ The first thing I think of, is this. $\endgroup$
    – Nij
    Commented Jan 25, 2017 at 8:22
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ The liquid looks like it is in a water bottle, but is it water? From that amount of liquid and flame I'd suspect alcohol or gasoline. The numb-numb was putting on a show not a science demonstration. $\endgroup$
    – MaxW
    Commented Jan 25, 2017 at 17:29

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
4
$\begingroup$

This is a Steam explosion generally the flame is due to the hydrogen produced when water is superheated so thermal decomposed into $\ce{H2}$ and $\ce{O2}$.

Quoting wikipedia:

Steam explosions are not normally chemical explosions, although a number of substances react chemically with steam (for example, zirconium and superheated graphite react with steam and air respectively to give off hydrogen, which burns violently in air) so that chemical explosions and fires may follow.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
1
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ Theory: Is the lava hot enough to decompose some of the water into hydrogen and oxygen gas, thus making way for a hydrogen explosion, which releases a lot of energy, which is absorbed by other waters, which decomposes more of them? It seems like good potential for a chain reaction. $\endgroup$
    – Jesuspowder
    Commented Jan 26, 2017 at 16:48

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.