Answer 1:
Citric acid can actually exist in two different
powdered forms, depending on how it is prepared-
either anhydrous (without water) or mono-hydrate
(with some amount of water trapped in the powder
with the citric acid molecules).
Citric acid is a weak, carboxylate acid. If you heat powdered citric acid to its melting temperature of 153degrees Celsius / 307 degrees Fahrenheit, then the powder will liquefy into a clear or brownish liquid (as additional heat is absorbed) and will burn. If you heat it slightly hotter, to 175 degrees Celsius / 350 degrees Fahrenheit, which is
what a sustained fire would do, it will
spontaneously decompose --that is, break down into smaller molecules including water and carbon dioxide (CO2). These smaller molecules will be very hot, and will become gasses- steam and CO2 in the air, which means that it will expand very quickly, i.e. it may explode. Be careful! |
Answer 2:
Citric acid is an organic compound; it will burn. I do not know how, specifically, it will combust, or if it will combust completely or not at
moderately high heat, but it burns. |