Name
BLM
15
How can carbon dioxide put out a
candle flame?
Record what you observed in the table.
OBSERVATION
INFERENCE
When I added vinegar
to the baking soda
I can infer that
Possible answer: the mixture
bubbled.
When I added vinegar to the
baking soda, the candle flame
Possible answer: went out.
➧
a gas was produced or chemical
reaction occurred.
I can infer that
➧
Possible answer: the baking soda and
vinegar produced carbon dioxide that put
out the fire.
Think about what you observed and what you learned about fire. Then answer
the questions below.
1. Why do you think the candle went out?
Possible answer: Fire needs oxygen to burn. Fire can’t burn when there is only carbon dioxide
around it. Mixing vinegar and baking soda made carbon dioxide, so the candle went out.
2. What type of change occurred when you mixed vinegar and baking soda?
How do you know?
Possible answer: A chemical change occurred, because a new substance was produced.
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3. What can you infer about how a CO2 fire extinguisher works?
Possible answer: A CO2 fire extinguisher is full of carbon dioxide. When you put the carbon
dioxide on a fire, the fire can’t get the oxygen it needs to burn, so it goes out.
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