What particle is produced from a flame and is notably black and composed of carbon?

The correct choice is soot, which is a black particulate produced during the incomplete combustion of organic materials, particularly carbon-containing substances. Soot primarily consists of fine carbon particles and can form when there is insufficient oxygen for complete combustion. In many fire investigations, soot is a crucial indicator of the fire's behavior, as its presence can help determine the nature of the materials involved and the efficiency of the combustion process.

While ash, tar, and smoke are related products of combustion, they differ fundamentally from soot. Ash is the solid residue left after the complete combustion of materials and primarily contains mineral components. Tar is a thick, sticky substance that can result from the pyrolysis of organic materials, often seen in wood and fossil fuels but not specifically defined by its carbon composition. Smoke is a complex mixture of gases and suspended particles produced during combustion, which includes soot but also consists of water vapor, volatile organic compounds, and other substances. Thus, the distinction of soot as a specific carbon-based black particulate makes it the correct answer in this context.