Fire

• HC makes great fuels cause the combustion reactions that happen when u burn them in O2 give out lots of energy (exothermic)
• When u burn HC in plenty of O2, the only products r CO2 and H2O (complete combustion)
• A fire needs fuel, O2 and heat to burn
• Fire is the combustion reaction of oxygen and fuel
• This reaction has a high activation energy (only start at high temps) u need heat too
• Fuel:

  • In industry, safer alternatives to highly flammable materials r used whenever possible
  • Forest fires r tackled by chopping down and removing trees in the path of the fire. Without these as a source of fuel, the fire goes out
• O2:

  • Covering a fire with a fire blanker or damp cloth stops the oxygen in the air from getting to it
  • Some fire extinguishers use foam or powder to block the O2 in a similar way
  • CO2 fire extinguishers work by replacing the O2 around the air
• Heat:

  • Storing flammable materials away from sources of heat is an important method of fire prevention
  • Pouring water over a fire or spraying it from a hose cools the fire down
• Water shouldn't be used on fires involving electricity or flammable liquids