Conclusion

Pictures

This experiment was a huge learning experience. To our surprise, the cotton fabric was the one in which we found the most violent reactions.

Nylon:

The nylon experiments usually ended the same way. When we placed a small match onto the nylon square that lay in the pie tin, we noticed that the fire usually did not spread that far and that there were no ashes left from the fabric that was burnt. Near the edges of the leftover fabric that were burned were made of a sticky type of matter that created long sticky chains whenever in contact with something else. Also, the sticky edges became hard within minutes, and maybe even seconds after the experiment. While this fabric was being tested, we discovered the horrible odor that is produced when the nylon is on fire; the smell is very similar to burning hair or really cheap pool chlorine. Also, there was not a very slow and steady flame that happened as we burned the nylon fabric squares, but a very unsteady flame.  

            Polyester: 

The polyester experiments had affects that were to our surprise. Much to our surprise, we realized that the polyester ended up like the nylon experiments; there were hard edges that surrounded the spot where the match was originally set except, unlike the nylon experiments, they never sticky edges and they never made the sticky chains that the nylon made. The flames during this experiment were super unsteady and there were not that many flames to see since the flames went out quicker than expected. Burnt marshmallows were the delicious smell that filled the air as we tested the experiment and that was much to our surprise as well. There were no ashes at all left after this experiment was tested. The pie tin has a small yellow spot in the center where the match was often lift while testing these experiments.

            Cotton:

The cotton fabric tests seemed to be the most enjoyable because they showed the most violent reactions. The flames shown while this fabric on fire was very steady and fast pace. After burning for a few seconds, much like paper on fire, the fabric started to wrinkle up and the flames rose as it neared the edges of the fabric. This reaction led to the ashes being in a shriveled little circle-type figure that felt soft and smooth after the experiment. These ashes felt very velvety and were hard to pick up because they were so easily broken. The ashes also had a beautiful aroma that smells much like marshmallows. When testing the cotton fabric, it was very interesting to watch the fabric's flame start to go down because, suddenly, you would see these little red ashes (we nicknamed these red ashes, red ants because of how they looked) all over the leftover fabric and the seemed to head to ever other direction other than the center of the fabric.