A popular classroom demonstration involves placing a paper cup with water in it on a burner, and boiling the water in the cup. Although part of the cup may burn, the part containing the water does not because
A) paper is a poor conductor of heat.
B) it all happens too quickly for the paper to burn.
C) the water absorbs most of the heat from the flame.
D) the evolving steam burns the paper on the cup above the water line.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The water absorbs most of the heat from the flame, preventing the paper cup from reaching its ignition temperature where the water is present. This is why the part of the cup containing water does not burn.

A Popular Classroom Demonstration Involves Placing a Paper Cup with Water