Burning/Fire
Burning
When a metal burns, the metal combines with oxygen from the air to form a chemical called an oxide. We can show this using a word equation. The chemicals that you start with are called the reactants. The chemical at the end are called the products.
When a metal burns, the metal combines with oxygen from the air to form a chemical called an oxide. We can show this using a word equation. The chemicals that you start with are called the reactants. The chemical at the end are called the products.
magnesium + oxygen → magnesium oxide
reactants products
reactants products
Fossil fuels contain a lot of carbon and hydrogen. When they burn they use up oxygen from the air and produce water and carbon dioxide. We can show the reaction using a word equation. Energy is in brackets in this equation because it is not a chemical substance.
fuel + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water (+energy)
Fire
A fire needs three things to keep burning; fuel, oxygen and heat. We show these three things on the Fire Triangle.
A fire needs three things to keep burning; fuel, oxygen and heat. We show these three things on the Fire Triangle.
If any one of these three things runs out, the fire will go out.
Fire extinguishers are used for putting out fires. There are different types of fire extinguishers, and it is important to always use the correct sort for a particular fire. Sand or fire blankets can also be used to put out fires.
Water is often used to put out fires because it takes away the heat. However, water should never be used in oil or petrol fires as it makes the burning fuel spread out.
Foam, powder or carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguishers work by stopping oxygen getting to the flames.
Fire extinguishers are used for putting out fires. There are different types of fire extinguishers, and it is important to always use the correct sort for a particular fire. Sand or fire blankets can also be used to put out fires.
Water is often used to put out fires because it takes away the heat. However, water should never be used in oil or petrol fires as it makes the burning fuel spread out.
Foam, powder or carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguishers work by stopping oxygen getting to the flames.