I think I need a physicist...

[Bertha Venation]

I want to know what flames are. Are they matter? Do they have molecules?

I thought maybe they're vapor, but I think that vapor - like gasoline vapor - is what's burning, and flames are the result.

Don't tell me they're just nothing but hot air. Flames are far too mystical and elegant to be something so pedestrian as "hot air."

What are flames?

[Sanity Claws]

1. According to Wikipedia

Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products.

I assume by flame you mean fire. It is a process that a material is undergoing in which heat and light are released.
BTW, air is also matter. It is composed of molecules of oxygen, hydrogen and other elements.

[chillspike]

5. That's what is happening

But what the hell ARE flames? Is it a cousin of plasma?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. It's the result of rapid oxidation.

It occurs when there's a chemical reaction between oxygen in air and a fuel. The reaction produces carbon dioxide, steam, light, and heat. A very hot flame will cause the gases to become ionized, which turns them into another state of matter called plasma.

[Dr Morbius]

3. It's an exothermic reaction.

An exothermic reaction is one that gives off heat, but it can also give off light or electrical energy or sound. Photons are given off as the material burns. Always remember: when you see anything, you're seeing photons. Photons originate when electrons move to lower energy states (or "orbits") in atoms. Wiki puts it thus:

"Sufficient energy in the flame will excite the electrons in some of the transient reaction intermediates such as CH and C2, which results in the emission of visible light as these substances release their excess energy."

Hope that helps.

[TZ]

6. An exothermic reaction that you can see.

I think is the most accurate description..I did plenty of chem experiments that were exothermic but the only way to observe it without measuring it was to feel the test tubes warmth.

[Kali]

4. Bertha...

do you have some good weed? :P

Used to have those kinds of conversations back in the day:hippie: :smoke: :think:

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

7. Flames are paint on old cars

I saw an odd and creepy fire, at a race track. Flames from burning alcohol are impossible to see in bright sunlight. So guys with extinguishers just stood around waiting for someone to start jumping around, then they'd spray him. Occasionally, a fuel container would blow up.

The color and brightness of flames depends on what's burning. So, they're not just "hot air".

:hi:

I will not discuss any "old flames".

:rofl:

[Orsino]

8. The flame is the light given off by the combustion...

...and it takes a shape dependent on the fuel supply, ventilation, etc.

Don't be ashamed of needing a physicist. Our raw animal energy can be overly intense. :eyes: