I heard splints are used to identify different gases, what are splints? where can i buy them?

Question

I heard splints are used to identify different gases, what are splints? where can i buy them?

Answer 1

Splints are simply pieces of wood, like toothpicks.  You light them, and introduce them to a sample of your gas.

Oxygen causes a glowing splint to burst into flame.  CO2 and nitrogen extinguish burning or glowing splints.  Hydrogen and methane, in contact with air, will burn (or explode) when touched with a burning splint.  They don't let chemistry students do this anymore for liability reasons.

DK