How Does Fire Work Explained in Layman's Terms

  • Thread starter Johnleprekan
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Fire Work
In summary, on a quantum mechanical level, the energy in fire causes an electron state to change and form new chemical bonds. This energy is supplied by heat and is known as activation energy. While there is no detailed explanation of the quantum processes involved in fire, Physicist Richard Feynman has given a talk on the topic and there are resources available for a technical description of the chemistry and physics of fire.
  • #1
Johnleprekan
57
0
I know that fire is a chemical reaction, but how does having enough energy actually start a chemical change? What is happening on a quantum mechanical level? In layman's terms please.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
On quantum level, an electron state changes from the one that used to be lowest in energy to a newly available state that's even lower in energy. That breaks the old chemical bond and forms a new one. The new state becomes available because a certain atom got very close to the one that electron belonged to. To get atoms close enough, certain amount of energy, called activation energy, is required. Typically, activation energy is supplied by heat.
 
  • #3
Last year someone here asked a similar question. See
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=487638

If you go to the youtube movie you will hear a five-minute talk by Physicist Richard Feynman all about fire!

If you want a technical description with lots of details, see:
CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS OF FIRE
www.maiif.net/pdf/fire_chapter1.pdf

I did not find any descriptions of quantum mechanical processes in fire. If there are any someone else needs to show all of us!
 
Last edited by a moderator:

1. What is fire?

Fire is a chemical reaction that occurs when fuel, heat, and oxygen are present. It produces heat, light, and smoke.

2. How does fire start?

Fire starts when a heat source, such as a spark or flame, comes into contact with a fuel source, such as wood or gasoline, and there is enough oxygen present to sustain the reaction.

3. What is the role of oxygen in fire?

Oxygen is necessary for fire to occur because it is one of the components of the chemical reaction. It combines with the fuel and heat to produce flame and heat energy.

4. Why does fire spread?

Fire spreads because it continues to consume fuel and oxygen in its surroundings. As it burns through the available fuel, it creates heat, which causes surrounding materials to ignite and continue the reaction.

5. How can fire be controlled or put out?

Fire can be controlled or put out by removing one of its three components: heat, fuel, or oxygen. This can be done by smothering the fire with a fire blanket or using a fire extinguisher, cutting off the oxygen supply, or cooling the fire by spraying it with water.

Similar threads

What is Work? Understanding the Concept of Work in Physics and Everyday Life
    • Mechanics
Replies
3
Views
716
B Work and energy: conceptual doubt
    • Mechanics
Replies
2
Views
993
How long before this type of metal roof will melt in a house fire?
    • Materials and Chemical Engineering
Replies
19
Views
3K
B Questions about double slit experiments
    • Quantum Physics
Replies
33
Views
2K
I Work-Energy Theorem for Moving Block and Spring System?
    • Mechanics
Replies
4
Views
986
B Positive Energy Theorem Explained in Layman Terms
    • Special and General Relativity
Replies
7
Views
1K
Why does my if-statement not work when I have (x-100) instead of x?
    • Programming and Computer Science
Replies
5
Views
965
Sign of potential term in Lagrangian mechanics
    • Mechanics
Replies
3
Views
2K
Does creating fire break lines work to control forest fires?
    • Earth Sciences
2
Replies
35
Views
4K
B Why don't electrons fall into the nucleus?.
    • Quantum Physics
Replies
6
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top