Fire: Difference between revisions
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imported>Robert W King No edit summary |
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* oxidation occurs; oxygen molecules break down larger molecules into carbon dioxide and water vapour | * oxidation occurs; oxygen molecules break down larger molecules into carbon dioxide and water vapour | ||
* this reaction produces a visible, incandescent body of heated gas which sustains the reaction until either the fuel is expended or there is no more oxygen available to the reaction | * this reaction produces a visible, incandescent body of heated gas which sustains the reaction until either the fuel is expended or there is no more oxygen available to the reaction | ||
As long as all three properties of heat, oxygen, and fuel are present a fire will continue to burn. Removing one of these elements will either remove the ability for a fire to start or will extinguish it. | |||
Revision as of 11:45, 7 August 2007
Fire is an observable side effect produced by a change in chemical state. Fire is usually produced as a result of a thermal interaction between oxygen and a fuel source(wood, or gasoline, for example).
The typical steps to create fire are as follows:
- a fuel source is affected by heat until it reaches its ignition temperature
- oxidation occurs; oxygen molecules break down larger molecules into carbon dioxide and water vapour
- this reaction produces a visible, incandescent body of heated gas which sustains the reaction until either the fuel is expended or there is no more oxygen available to the reaction
As long as all three properties of heat, oxygen, and fuel are present a fire will continue to burn. Removing one of these elements will either remove the ability for a fire to start or will extinguish it.