Which property of a gas is most directly related to its ability to support burning in a combustion analysis experiment?

• A. Its solubility in water
• B. Its density at standard temperature and pressure
• C. Its ability to act as an oxidizing agent
• D. Its color

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that combustion requires a substance that can support the chemical reaction of burning, which typically involves oxygen or another oxidizing agent.
2. Recall that an oxidizing agent is a substance that accepts electrons during a chemical reaction, facilitating the combustion process by reacting with the fuel.
3. Analyze the given options: solubility in water, density at STP, ability to act as an oxidizing agent, and color, and consider which property directly influences the chemical reaction of combustion.
4. Recognize that solubility and density are physical properties that do not directly affect the chemical ability to support burning, and color is a visual property unrelated to combustion capability.
5. Conclude that the property most directly related to a gas's ability to support burning is its ability to act as an oxidizing agent, because combustion depends on the presence of an oxidizer.