- #1
johncena
- 131
- 1
how water extinguishes fire? i mean..what is the chemical reaction taking place when water combines with fire??
Extinguishing Fire with Water - Chemical Reaction
- Thread starter johncena
- Start date
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the mechanisms by which water extinguishes fire, focusing on the chemical reactions or lack thereof involved in this process. Participants explore various aspects of combustion, the role of water, and the nature of fire itself.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- Some participants propose that fire is a combination of heat and burnt fuel, suggesting that water primarily cools the flame rather than chemically reacting with the fuel.
- Others argue that water does not engage in chemical reactions but instead acts as a barrier that prevents oxygen from reaching the fuel, effectively smothering the fire.
- A participant mentions that the process of extinguishing fire with water involves vaporization, which creates a barrier of water vapor between the flame and oxygen.
- There is a discussion about the chemical formulas associated with different types of fires, with one participant providing a formula for benzene combustion.
- Some participants note that fire itself does not have a chemical formula, as it is not a substance but rather a manifestation of energy from combustion reactions.
- One participant highlights that while water does not react chemically, the statement that it does not react at all may be an oversimplification.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on whether water's role in extinguishing fire involves chemical reactions or is purely mechanical. There is no consensus on the exact nature of the interactions involved.
Contextual Notes
Participants acknowledge that the type of fire (e.g., oil fire, paper fire) may influence the discussion, indicating that assumptions about fire and combustion may vary based on context.
- #2
katchum
- 116
- 0
I think fire is a visual representation of heat + burnt fuel. Does water actually react with fuel? I guess water only brings the heat down so that ignition of the fuel can't happen anymore.
- #3
lightarrow
- 1,966
- 64
No chemical reactions. Water cool down the flame, but essentially water vaporizes and this vapour creates a barrier between the flame and air's oxygen, so the flame cannot be provided with oxygen anylonger.johncena said:
- #4
johncena
- 131
- 1
is there any chemical formula for fire?
- #5
katchum
- 116
- 0
It depends on which kind of fire you have. An oil fire, a paper fire?
- #6
johncena
- 131
- 1
formula of paper fire?
- #7
katchum
- 116
- 0
The best I can find is:
C8H18 + (25-x)/2 * O2 => 9 H2O + (8-x) CO2 + x CO
for benzine fire.
Be aware that fire is just warm gas+matter. When you see warm metal it will also be red and yellow but in a solid state.
C8H18 + (25-x)/2 * O2 => 9 H2O + (8-x) CO2 + x CO
for benzine fire.
Be aware that fire is just warm gas+matter. When you see warm metal it will also be red and yellow but in a solid state.
- #8
kashiark
- 210
- 0
water doesn't react with anything in this regard, in fact no chemical reactions are taking place it's essentially a mechanical reaction: the water acts as a barrier between oxygen and the other reactant(s)
Last edited:
- #9
Borek
Mentor
- 29,180
- 4,612
kashiark said:
While I understand the general idea behind your post, and I agree with it, this is a huge overstatement
- #10
wil3
- 177
- 1
All common combustion reactions are of the form:
Fuel + O2 --> CO2 + H2O
Fire is just a visible manifestation of the energy of the combustion reaction. The energy given off by the conversion of paper into ash, or oil into carbon dioxide, etc. results in the heating of the air around the reaction epicenter, which can cause it to glow. Fire has no chemical formula because it is not a substance; it is an observation.
Water puts out fire because water essentially stops oxygen from reaching the fuel by smothering the source.
Fuel + O2 --> CO2 + H2O
Fire is just a visible manifestation of the energy of the combustion reaction. The energy given off by the conversion of paper into ash, or oil into carbon dioxide, etc. results in the heating of the air around the reaction epicenter, which can cause it to glow. Fire has no chemical formula because it is not a substance; it is an observation.
Water puts out fire because water essentially stops oxygen from reaching the fuel by smothering the source.
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