Steel wool is made mostly of the element iron. When iron interacts with oxygen in moist air, a change occurs. The iron and the oxygen react to form a new reddish-brown substance, called iron oxide or rust.

Steel Wool is burned in an oxygen rich environment which dramatically increases the rate of reaction. Oxygen is an oxidizer. Fill the cylinder with oxygen and cover it with a large glass square. Holding a piece of steel wool with tongs, ignite the steel wool by placing it …

Oct 24, 2017 · Though it's not an explosion caused by a nuclear chain reaction — à la Krypton — the light show created by the burning steel wool results from high-speed oxidation. Here's how it works: Anytime...

Feb 5, 2025 · This article delves into the intriguing chemical reaction that powers steel wool combustion, offering insights into the role of surface area and oxygen availability. Beyond the flames, we’ll guide you through essential safety measures and explore how this phenomenon can illuminate science lessons.

The heat causes the iron to react with the oxygen surrounding the steel wool. This reaction creates the spark that we see and the release of heat that heats up the next iron molecules, thus causing chain reactions through the steel wool.

Steel wool is very fine, so it has a lot of surface area. This means that a very high percentage of the iron molecules are exposed to air, which contains oxygen. When you light up steel wool, generally it will burn red for a little bit and often go out unless you do something to help it along.

Oct 26, 2017 · The story explains that steel wool burns because it has lots of thin strands holding atoms that come into contact with oxygen in the air, making it more difficult for heat to dissipate. In contrast, a block of iron like a utensil doesn't catch fire because the surface area is small relative to the volume, Benedict tells LiveScience.

Steel wool burns because the iron molecules in it react with oxygen molecules in the air. This reaction produces energy, which makes the steel wool hot and causes it to catch on fire. Steel wool can burn quickly, so you need to be careful when you are handling or burning it.

The oxygen reacts with the steel wool to form rust and is removed from the air sample (it turns from a gas and becomes part of the rust, a solid). As oxygen is removed from the sample, water will rise up into the cylinder and its level can be read on the cylinder scale.

Demonstration of flame created in an environment of excess Oxygen. Submerge steel wool in liquid oxygen for a few seconds. Remove and light on fire. Liquid oxygen takes an hour to prepare - please be sure to submit in plenty of time to have it ready.