Question

A mixture of ethyne (acetylene) and oxygen is burnt for welding. Can you tell why a mixture of ethyne and air is not used?

Answer 1

Ethyne (acetylene) is an unsaturated hydrocarbon. When ethyne is burned in air, it produces an extremely sooty flame due to incomplete combustion. The temperature of the flame is not high enough to melt metals for welding; therefore, a mixture of ethyne and air is used for welding.