Fire: Friend and Foe

Answer the following questions:

1. What do you understand by the ‘flashpoint' of a
fuel?
Ans: Every fuel catches fire at a particular temperature.
This temperature is called the ‘flashpoint' of a fuel.

2.i.What are some common uses of fire?

Ans: Fire is used in cooking, to keep our homes warm
during winter and also used to produce electricity.
ii. In what sense is it a ‘bad master’?
Ans: If fire goes out of control, it can cause damage to
our life, house and property so it is ‘bad master’ in this
sense.

3.What are the three main ways in which of fire can be

controlled or put out?
Ans: The three main ways in which a fire can be
controlled or put out are:
The first way is to take away the fuel. If the fire has no
fuel to feed on, no burning can take place.
The second way of putting out a fire is to prevent oxygen
from reaching it. No supply of oxygen means no fire.
The third way is to remove the heat. If the temperature
can be brought down below the flashpoint, the fuel stops
burning.

4.Why does a burning candle go out when you blow on

it?
Ans: When we blow on a burning candle, we remove the
hot air around the flame. This causes fall in temperature
below the flashpoint. So, the candle goes out.

7. Spraying water is not a good way of putting out an oil

fire or an electrical fire. Why not?
Ans: If water is sprayed onto an oil fire, oil will float on
the top and continue to burn. Water can carry oil with it
and continue to burn. Water should also not be used on
fires caused by electrical appliances. A person might get
an electrical shock and get killed.