Thread: How many volts of electricity are needed to ignite a stick of unsalted butter?

Hi:

An experiment involving unsalted butter and electricity is conducted. The goal is to ignite the butter using 60 Hz AC current. As the current passes across [through] the butter stick lengthwise. The butter then melts, loses its water, and eventually emits a yellow flame. How many volts of this electric current are required to get the butter flaming? What is the temperature of this flame?

A stick of butter = 1/2 cup


Thanks,

GX

P.S. This is not a homework question.

Originally Posted by Green Xenon

Hi:



P.S. This is not a homework question.

It's a question which has often troubled me!

Originally Posted by Green Xenon

Hi:

An experiment involving unsalted butter and electricity is conducted. The goal is to ignite the butter using 60 Hz AC current. As the current passes across [through] the butter stick lengthwise. The butter then melts, loses its water, and eventually emits a yellow flame. How many volts of this electric current are required to get the butter flaming? What is the temperature of this flame?

A stick of butter = 1/2 cup


Thanks,

GX

P.S. This is not a homework question.

Finding out the flash point of the said butter may help.

Originally Posted by Green Xenon

Hi:

An experiment involving unsalted butter and electricity is conducted. The goal is to ignite the butter using 60 Hz AC current. As the current passes across [through] the butter stick lengthwise. The butter then melts, loses its water, and eventually emits a yellow flame. How many volts of this electric current are required to get the butter flaming? What is the temperature of this flame?

You need not pursue for the voltage level: A few volts for hours or a Shazam for but a moment could do the job. You might seek what voltage would do the job with the fewest watt-hours but I'm too dumb to noodle it out.

If you are using 60 Hz AC power, it's mostly likely 110 Volts!