Scientific explanation of a chip pan fire + water

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the scientific explanation for the phenomenon of a fireball occurring when water is added to a chip pan fire. Participants seek to understand the underlying principles, including the immiscibility of water and oil, and the physical properties of these substances.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express a desire for a scientific explanation that includes terms like "immiscible."
  • There is a discussion about the properties of chip fat or vegetable oil, with some participants noting that these are hydrocarbons and hydrophobic.
  • Questions are raised regarding the boiling point of water compared to the ignition point of fats, and what happens when large volumes of water turn to steam in the presence of fat.
  • Some participants mention difficulty in finding clear explanations online, indicating that existing resources often only state the outcome without explaining the mechanism.
  • One participant shares that they found a detailed document after extensive searching, suggesting that more comprehensive resources may exist.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the basic properties of water and oil, such as immiscibility and hydrophobicity, but there is no consensus on the detailed scientific explanation of the fireball phenomenon. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific mechanisms involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about specific scientific terms and concepts, indicating a need for clarification on the boiling points and ignition points of different substances involved in the reaction.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students studying chemistry or physics, particularly those interested in the properties of liquids and combustion reactions.

BrettBlade
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Ok, I know what happens (big fireball : ) when you add water to a chip pan fire, but I'd really appreciate it if you guys (and gals) helped me out with SCIENTIFICALLY describing WHY adding water to the pan causes the fireball. It must contain words like "immiscible" and so on...

Thanks in advance!

(Quick reply appreciated, getting sleepy :zzz: :biggrin: )
 
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BrettBlade said:
Ok, I know what happens (big fireball : ) when you add water to a chip pan fire, but I'd really appreciate it if you guys (and gals) helped me out with SCIENTIFICALLY describing WHY adding water to the pan causes the fireball. It must contain words like "immiscible" and so on...

Thanks in advance!

(Quick reply appreciated, getting sleepy :zzz: :biggrin: )

Leave our homework till the night before did we? :rolleyes:
 
Better than I usually do :-p

It's normally the lesson before it's due!

I have study support before it's due, so time isn't an issue. I just really don't get it...

It wasn't a great idea to explain it to the class when you're making fireballs! :biggrin:
 
BrettBlade said:
Better than I usually do :-p

It's normally the lesson before it's due!

I have study support before it's due, so time isn't an issue. I just really don't get it...

It wasn't a great idea to explain it to the class when you're making fireballs! :biggrin:

Google is your best friend, I found a document with the bare bones of an answer in with 20 seconds... :-p
 
Atleast give me the search terms you used please, I have searched (I found this site through searching), but even the Wikipedia article I read doesn't clear up my questions...
 
BrettBlade said:
Atleast give me the search terms you used please, I have searched (I found this site through searching), but even the Wikipedia article I read doesn't clear up my questions...

How about, "chip pan fire water" ? :biggrin:
 
Tried that, looked at the top ten results, they are all pretty much the same thing. "Don't do it, it will make a fireball" is all you get. I know it makes a fireball, I need to know HOW and WHY it makes a fireball.

Thanks.
 
How about trying the second page? I could give you some suggestive hints if you prefer?
 
Please, I only need a very brief description to set me going, I don't a 3000 word essay or anything. A sentence or 2 will do aslong it's to the point and then I can expand on that.

Thanks.
 
  • #10
BrettBlade said:
Please, I only need a very brief description to set me going, I don't a 3000 word essay or anything. A sentence or 2 will do aslong it's to the point and then I can expand on that.

Thanks.

Answer these questions and you should be able to explain why water should not be poured on water?

  1. What type of compound is chip fat / vegetable oil?
  2. Are these compounds miscible in water?
  3. What is the relative density between these compounds and water?
 
  • #11
1. No idea?
2. No, they are hydrophobic.
3. Water is denser? (so it sinks?)
 
  • #12
BrettBlade said:
1. No idea?
Hydrocarbons
2. No, they are hydrophobic.
What do you think hydrophobic means?
3. Water is denser? (so it sinks?)
Correct

Some further questions;

  1. Which is generally higher - the boiling point of water or the ignition point of a fat?
  2. What will happen if large volumes of water boil (and turn to steam) while in the fat / hydrocarbon?
 
  • #13
BrettBlade said:
1. No idea?
Hydrocarbons
2. No, they are hydrophobic.
What do you think hydrophobic means?
3. Water is denser? (so it sinks?)
Correct

Some further questions;

  1. Which is generally higher - the boiling point of water or the ignition point of a fat?
  2. What will happen if large volumes of water boil (and turn to steam) while in the fat / hydrocarbon?
 
  • #14
BrettBlade said:
1. No idea?
Hydrocarbons
2. No, they are hydrophobic.
What do you think hydrophobic means?
3. Water is denser? (so it sinks?)
Correct

Some further questions;

  1. Which is generally higher - the boiling point of water or the ignition point of a fat?
  2. What will happen if large volumes of water boil (and turn to steam) while in the fat / hydrocarbon?
 
  • #15
BrettBlade said:
1. No idea?
Hydrocarbons
2. No, they are hydrophobic.
What do you think hydrophobic means?
3. Water is denser? (so it sinks?)
Correct

Some further questions;

  1. Which is generally higher - the boiling point of water or the ignition point of a fat?
  2. What will happen if large volumes of water boil (and turn to steam) while in the fat / hydrocarbon?
 
  • #16
BrettBlade said:
1. No idea?
Hydrocarbons
2. No, they are hydrophobic.
What do you think hydrophobic means?
3. Water is denser? (so it sinks?)
Correct

Some further questions;

  1. Which is generally higher - the boiling point of water or the ignition point of a fat?
  2. What will happen if large volumes of water boil (and turn to steam) while in the fat / hydrocarbon?
 
  • #17
BrettBlade said:
1. No idea?
Hydrocarbons
2. No, they are hydrophobic.
What do you think hydrophobic means?
3. Water is denser? (so it sinks?)
Correct

Some further questions;

  1. Which is generally higher - the boiling point of water or the ignition point of a fat?
  2. What will happen if large volumes of water boil (and turn to steam) while in the fat / hydrocarbon?
 
  • #18
BrettBlade said:
1. No idea?
Hydrocarbons
2. No, they are hydrophobic.
What do you think hydrophobic means?
3. Water is denser? (so it sinks?)
Correct

Some further questions;

  1. Which is generally higher - the boiling point of water or the ignition point of a fat?
  2. What will happen if large volumes of water boil (and turn to steam) while in the fat / hydrocarbon?
 
  • #19
Got it after about an hour of "Googling" trying to find the right thing. Found an 18 page .pdf which explained things very nicely :smile:
 
  • #20
BrettBlade said:
1. No idea?
Hydrocarbons
2. No, they are hydrophobic.
What do you think hydrophobic means?
3. Water is denser? (so it sinks?)
Correct

Some further questions;

  1. Generally, which is higher; the boiling point of water or the ignition point of fat?
  2. What would happen in large volumes of water boiled (and turned into steam) inside a bowl full of fat?
 
  • #21
BrettBlade said:
Got it after about an hour of "Googling" trying to find the right thing. Found an 18 page .pdf which explained things very nicely :smile:

My apologies, I have been trying to reply but the forum is undergoing a software upgrade at the moment, so service is still a little shaky.
 

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