Is Radon Flammable

[m***@hotmail.com]

Radon has a lower first ionization energy (1037kJ/mol) than carbon
(1086.5 kJ/mol). Therefore, it should react with oxygen more readily
than carbon does. Have any experiments been done to determine if radon
is flammable?


Michael

[David Bostwick]

Post by m***@hotmail.com
Radon has a lower first ionization energy (1037kJ/mol) than carbon
(1086.5 kJ/mol). Therefore, it should react with oxygen more readily
than carbon does. Have any experiments been done to determine if radon
is flammable?
Michael

You can ask this as many times as you want, but you'll probably get the same
answer.

[Oscar Lanzi III]

Maybe the OP is asking why a material with low ionization energy is not
necessarily (in)flammable. The answer is that you havew to look at the
overall energy balance.

In radon's case, it does have a lower ionization energy than carbon.
BUT -- it has much weaker bonding with oxygen. Besides, you don't need
complete ionization to form a covalent compound.

When you look at the overall energy picture, the answer becomes obvious.
Radon is not even close to flammable. It's merely radioactive.

--OL

[m***@hotmail.com]

Post by Oscar Lanzi III
Maybe the OP is asking why a material with low ionization energy is not
necessarily (in)flammable. The answer is that you havew to look at the
overall energy balance.
In radon's case, it does have a lower ionization energy than carbon.
BUT -- it has much weaker bonding with oxygen. Besides, you don't need
complete ionization to form a covalent compound.
When you look at the overall energy picture, the answer becomes obvious.
Radon is not even close to flammable. It's merely radioactive.
--OL

I understand. That would explain why white phosphorus is flammable
while nitrogen is not.


Michael

[r***@hotmail.com]

Why don't you review the other noble gases for their ionization energy.
Let us know if you calculate krypton oxide to be a whole lot more
common then it is in actual practice.