[evaderguy89]

My chemistry teacher took an absopure water thing (the big blue ones that are on upsidedown in the disoenser).  He coated the container insides with 25ml 25% isopropyl alcohol.  He then lit a match and placed it over the mouth of the container.  A fire started in the container and after it went out, he tipped the container over, and a small amount of water poured out.  Can someone tell me what happened?  Thanks.

[evaderguy89]

sorry, but to show that i am thinking about this, i think it might have to do with the combustability of the isopropyl alchoal gasses.  

[Donaldson Tan]

2C3H7OH + 9O2 -> 6CO2 + 8H2O

complete combustion of alchohol (and hydrocarbon) produces water.

[evaderguy89]

ok, thanks for the help so far.  why does the alchoal vapor react like this though?

[Donaldson Tan]

the reaction produces water in vapour state. the hot water vapour rises above the flame, then cool down at the container inner surface to condense.

[evaderguy89]

thank you so much!  is there anything i should know about the molecules taking place in this reaction?

[evaderguy89]

but where does the flame come from?

[Donaldson Tan]

the flame comes from burning ethanol. energy is given out as light and heat.

[hmx9123]

You may also want to note that the majority of the water doesn't come from the isopropyl alcohol itself, but from the solution poured in.  You said it was 25%.  That means that 75% of the original liquid that was poured into the container was water.  Kind of anti-climactic: you pour water in, you pour water out.  Wow.

[constant thinker]

Another note I'd like to add is:
Ispropanol burns easily mainly because it vaporizes easily. It doesn't burn very hot. It seams to completely combust in the air easily. The vapor is poisionous and causes sickness easily (throwing up) if breathe in to much.

Ok it was more than one but o well. These conclusions are from my own fun and not fun.