Question

What happens when a glowing splinter is introduced in a jar containing oxygen?

Answer 1

Hint: A splinter is a simple piece of equipment used in the laboratories. Glowing or burning splint test is performed to determine whether a gas is flammable, whether is oxidizing or whether it is chemically inert. These tests are not safe for completely unidentified gases because the energy of their explosion could be safe confinement of a glass tube.


Complete solution:
Before solving the question let us know what actually glowing or burning splints test is. In this test a splint is lit and held near the opening of the glass tube, then a stopper is removed to expose the splint to the gas. If the nature of gas is flammable, then mixtures catch fire or ignite. This test is most commonly performed to identify hydrogen gas.
The glowing splint test is a test for an oxidizing gas like oxygen. In this test, a splint is lit or allowed to burn for a few seconds, then blown by shaking. The splint is introduced to the gas sample that has been trapped in a vessel, when it comes into contact with oxygen the splint catches fire.

When a glowing splinter is introduced in a jar containing oxygen, the glowing splinter rekindles but the gas does not catch fire.


Note: It is to be noted that the more concentrated oxygen gas, the faster the wood of the splinter burns and the more intense the flame. This test is not specific for oxygen (for example it will react similarly to any oxidizing gas such as nitrous oxide and sulphur oxide.