For example, a flammable liquid will start burning only if the fuel and oxygen are in the right proportions. Fire cannot exist without all of these elements in place and in the right proportions. This is commonly called the fire tetrahedron.
įires start when a flammable or a combustible material, in combination with a sufficient quantity of an oxidizer such as oxygen gas or another oxygen-rich compound (though non-oxygen oxidizers exist), is exposed to a source of heat or ambient temperature above the flash point for the fuel/oxidizer mix, and is able to sustain a rate of rapid oxidation that produces a chain reaction. For instance, chlorine trifluoride is able to ignite sand. Although the oxidizing agent is typically oxygen, other compounds are able to fulfill the role. This process, known as a combustion reaction, does not proceed directly and involves intermediates. The balanced chemical equation for the combustion of methane, a hydrocarbonįire is a chemical process in which a fuel and an oxidizing agent react, yielding carbon dioxide and water. Current spelling is attested as early as 1200, but did not fully displace Middle English fier (preserved in fiery) until 1600. The word comes from Old English Fyr 'Fire, a fire' which comes from the Germanic root * fūr-, which in turn comes from the Proto-Indo-European * perjos from the root * paewr- 'Fire'.
This loss of nitrogen caused by a fire produces a long-term reduction in the fertility of the soil, which can be recovered as atmospheric nitrogen is fixed and converted to ammonia by natural phenomena such as lightning or by leguminous plants such as clover, peas, and green beans.įire is one of the four classical elements and has been used by humans in rituals, in agriculture for clearing land, for cooking, generating heat and light, for signaling, propulsion purposes, smelting, forging, incineration of waste, cremation, and as a weapon or mode of destruction. Also, when vegetation is burned, the nitrogen it contains is released into the atmosphere, unlike elements such as potassium and phosphorus which remain in the ash and are quickly recycled into the soil. If fire removes protective vegetation, heavy rainfall may lead to an increase in soil erosion by water. Its negative effects include hazard to life and property, atmospheric pollution, and water contamination. The positive effects of fire include stimulating growth and maintaining various ecological systems. Fire is an important process that affects ecological systems around the globe. įire in its most common form can result in conflagration, which has the potential to cause physical damage through burning. Depending on the substances alight, and any impurities outside, the color of the flame and the fire's intensity will be different. If hot enough, the gases may become ionized to produce plasma. Flames consist primarily of carbon dioxide, water vapor, oxygen and nitrogen. The flame is the visible portion of the fire.
Īt a certain point in the combustion reaction, called the ignition point, flames are produced. The ignition and extinguishing of a pile of wood shavingsįire is the rapid oxidation of a material (the fuel) in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products.
0 kommentar(er)
