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Even though water contains elements known to burn, its molecules have a unique specific heat capacity that keeps it from burning. Once it reaches that capacity, it will start to boil. If it goes higher than that capacity, then it will evaporate.

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10y ago
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6mo ago

The water inside the paper cup helps to regulate the temperature, preventing the cup from reaching its ignition point. Water absorbs heat energy from the cup, cooling it down and preventing combustion. The paper cup also acts as an insulator, reducing heat transfer from the outside to the inside.

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13y ago

For a substance to burn, it must be combustible.On the other hand, water not only being incombustible but it is a substance that extinguishes fire. So, it does not burn.

A2. But most importantly, water is made by burning Hydrogen, so it has already been burnt.

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13y ago

Because water has hydrogen that has already been "burned".

The energy in the bonds of 2 water molecules (H20) are lower than the bonds

of 2 molecules of hydrogen (H2) and one molecule of oxygen (O2). So when

you bring H2 and O2 together with a tiny bit of energy (a flame or spark

just to start it), it will burn, releasing energy, and making water.

You can make hydrogen and oxygen from water by electrolysis, but that uses

energy, sort of like the reverse of burning.

The burning of gasoline is very similar, the bonds start off with more

energy, which is released on burning with oxygen to make CO2 (carbon

dioxide) and water. However, making gasoline from CO2 and water is

extremely difficult although with enough energy it's theoretically possible.

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/chem00/chem00042.htm

There is no simple way to explain. I was going to say that it could be due to lack of carbon, but that'd be incorrect as if you ground many solids into very fine particles you can make them fire up, with a source flame of course

^ that is a very good answer^ I'm going to try and write it simply... here goes.

Water does not burn because when something is burning it combines with oxygen and since the hydrogen has already been combined with oxygen it cannot burn. It is also very stable. I'm pretty sure this is right

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14y ago

water doesn't burn because it is water you silly little truffle! lol... sorry i was just bored.

The only good answer I ever got was. Anything that is already burned wont burn. Nobody knows

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13y ago

Actually, it can.

Water can extinguish fires except there are many things that can catch on fire like for example electronics or chemicals etc. so they are different types of fires and each fire has its own fire extinguishers that can put them out easily.

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11y ago

it doesn't burn because the water keeps the cup...like,.....cold so it doesn't burn.. the water does evaporate, but as long as the water's there the cup doesn't burn.

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13y ago

Oxygen is an oxidizer that will assist in the combustion of something else, however, oxygen itself will not burn because it is not flammable.

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14y ago

Water is totally oxidized hydrogen. It is essentially hydrogen "ash". Just as yo cannot reignite the ashes from a fire you cannot reburn hydrogen after it is water.

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Q: Why does a paper cup with water in it not burn?
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Why doesn't a paper cup burn if you put it under a Bunsen burner?

Paper cups are designed to withstand high temperatures due to their composition and thickness. The cup may char or blacken, but the heat dissipates quickly enough to prevent the cup from catching fire. Additionally, the presence of water in the paper cup helps absorb some of the heat energy, further preventing combustion.


What will happen if you put a paper cup of water at the edge of a campfire the edges of the cup will burn down to the water levels then stop why?

The water inside the cup will absorb the heat energy from the fire, preventing the cup from burning further. As the water heats up, it will vaporize and cool the cup, creating a barrier that protects the cup from the flames. The water will continue to absorb heat until it evaporates completely or the fire is extinguished.


How can a water be boiled in a paper cup?

A paper cup can be used to boil water by filling it with water and placing it directly over a heat source such as a stove or campfire. The water will boil due to the heat transfer from the flame to the paper cup, causing the water to reach its boiling point. The paper will char and may eventually catch fire, so this method should be done with caution.


A water filled paper cup held in a flame will not catch fire this because?

the paper cup cannot become appreciably hotter than the water it contains


How many paper clips will fit into a completely full cup of soapy water?

The number of paper clips that can fit in a cup of soapy water will depend on the size of the cup, the size of the paper clips, and how the clips are arranged. It is difficult to provide an exact number without specific details.

Related questions

Why doesn't a paper cup burn if you put it under a Bunsen burner?

Paper cups are designed to withstand high temperatures due to their composition and thickness. The cup may char or blacken, but the heat dissipates quickly enough to prevent the cup from catching fire. Additionally, the presence of water in the paper cup helps absorb some of the heat energy, further preventing combustion.


Does a paper cup keep water hotter than a plastic cup?

A paper cup typically does not keep water hotter than a plastic cup. Paper is a poor insulator compared to plastic, so heat is more likely to escape from a paper cup, leading to faster cooling of the water inside.


What will happen if you put a paper cup of water at the edge of a campfire the edges of the cup will burn down to the water levels then stop why?

The water inside the cup will absorb the heat energy from the fire, preventing the cup from burning further. As the water heats up, it will vaporize and cool the cup, creating a barrier that protects the cup from the flames. The water will continue to absorb heat until it evaporates completely or the fire is extinguished.


Will paper ever burn from water vapor?

NO


Can you boil a water in paper cup?

The boiling point of water is 100 degrees. However, the point at which paper burns is much higher than 100 degrees. When you boil water in a paper cup, all of the heat is transferred to the water, not the cup. When the water starts to boil, the paper stays unburnt. After the water has boiled through, there should be a small black mark on the base of the cup which can be easily removed.


What would we observe if we put a plastic cap on a piece of paper over a burning flame?

we would the cup and the paper burn like when you put news paper on a bbq.


How can a water be boiled in a paper cup?

A paper cup can be used to boil water by filling it with water and placing it directly over a heat source such as a stove or campfire. The water will boil due to the heat transfer from the flame to the paper cup, causing the water to reach its boiling point. The paper will char and may eventually catch fire, so this method should be done with caution.


Would water vapor burn paper if placed over a boiling cup?

I probably wont get hot enough to burn paper if just placed over a cup, A good experiment that you can do is boil some water in a flask. poke a hole through a rubber stopper and place that in the flask. in the rubber stopper hole, Place a Copper tube that is in a coil making sure that some is sticking out a little bit. Place a bunsen burner under the copper coil. when steam starts to come out, place paper in the steam, it should scorch the paper but it will not catch on fire.


A water filled paper cup held in a flame will not catch fire this because?

the paper cup cannot become appreciably hotter than the water it contains


Why does a paper cup not catch fire when filled with water?

Water has a high heat capacity, meaning it can absorb a lot of heat before its temperature rises significantly. When the paper cup is filled with water, the water absorbs the heat from the flame before the paper cup can reach its ignition temperature. This helps prevent the paper cup from catching fire.


what type of cup keeps hot water hottest Paper or metal?

A metal cup will generally keep hot water hotter for longer compared to a paper cup. Metal is a better insulator than paper, so it helps to retain heat more effectively.


How many paper clips will fit into a completely full cup of soapy water?

The number of paper clips that can fit in a cup of soapy water will depend on the size of the cup, the size of the paper clips, and how the clips are arranged. It is difficult to provide an exact number without specific details.