Ask A Scientist

Chemistry Archive


Mystery powders

Question:  Why don't powders react to heat?
 nancy johnson

Answer:
Powders are just finely divided solids.  In general they will respond
to heat in the same way that a large chunk of the same material would
respond to heat.
Many solids will either melt or oxidize when heated in air.
 gregory r bradburn


Back to Chemistry Ask A Scientist Index
NEWTON Homepage Ask A Question

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators.
Argonne National Laboratory, Division of Educational Programs, Harold Myron, Ph.D., Division Director.