The Flammability of Cotton Balls After the Application of Various Substances

Overview

Cotton balls were tested after being exposed to different substances. Combustion is when compounds combine with oxygen and produce heat. There are two types of combustion, complete and incomplete. The materials consisted of petroleum jelly, lighter fluid, rubbing alcohol, cotton balls, muffin tins, measuring utensils, lighters, and a timer. First you would put some of each liquid in three tins each, then rub the cotton balls in them, after that the cotton balls were burned and data was recorded. The control was the worst fire starter, with rubbing alcohol after that. Petroleum jelly and lighter fluid preformed the best in one test each and second best in another. These were analyzed by finding percent difference. The petroleum had a longer burn time, but lighter fluid burned higher. Overall Lighter fluid was 11.6% higher. There were a few possible errors, but overall very much was controlled. This experiment could be used to help start campfires more easily and efficiently.

Competition history

• AJAS 2019 Category not listed

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