CHEMISTRY

COMBUSTION NOTES- part 3

How to control fire?
FIRE HOW TO CONTROL REASON (Why it is chosen)
Fire due to paper Pour water 1. Water cools down the
or wood temperature of the combustible
substance below ignition
temperature.
2. Water vapour surrounds the
substance and cut off the air
supply.
Fire due to petrol Throw sand or mud 1. Sand or mud forms a layer and
and Diesel & cut off the air supply.
Carbon dioxide fire 2. CO2 cut down the supply of air
extinguisher
Fire due to Electric Carbon dioxide fire 1. Carbon dioxide is heavier than
short circuit extinguisher Oxygen and covers the fire like
a blanket and thus cut down the
air supply.

To produce CO2 gas, release a lot of dry powder of Sodium

bicarbonate (Baking soda) or Potassium bicarbonate near the fire.
These chemicals give off CO2.

Q1. Water is not used to control fires involving electrical equipment. Why?
This is because water contains many ions and so it conducts electricity. It is
highly dangerous as people can get electric shock while trying to extinguish the
fire.
Q2. Water is ineffective in extinguishing fires due to burning of petrol or diesel.
Why?
Water is heavier and immiscible with these liquids. As a result, water sinks to the
bottom and it forms the lower layer and oil will be floating on top and continues
burning.
Q3. In fire extinguishers we prefer CO2 rather than Nitrogen. Why?
CO2 is heavier than air and it covers the fire like a blanket whereas Nitrogen is
lighter than air and goes up as soon as it is ejected on the fire.
Q4. CO2 is considered as an excellent fire extinguisher. Why?

 CO2 is heavier than air and a non- supporter of combustion.

 It covers the fire like a blanket. Thus it cut off the air supply and the fire is
extinguished.
 It does not harm the electrical equipment.
 It is stored at a high pressure as a liquid in a cylinder. When it is released
from the cylinder, it expands enormously in volume and cools down the
temperature of the fuel.

Types of Combustion
Combustion is mainly of three types
(1) Rapid combustion
(2) Spontaneous combustion
(3) Explosion
1.   Rapid combustion: 
The combustion in which the gas burns rapidly and produces heat and
light is called rapid combustion.
         example: When a burning matchstick is brought near a gas burner
and the gas tap is opened, the gas immediately starts burning with the
production of heat and light. Eg. Petrol, LPG, spirit, etc.,
2.   Spontaneous combustion: 
The type of combustion in which a material suddenly bursts into flames
,without the application of any apparent cause(no external heat) is
known as spontaneous combustion.
  example: Burning of white phosphorus in air, Burning of sodium and
potassium , sudden combustion of coal dust in coal mines
3.   Explosion: 
The combustion in which large amount of gases are evolved with the
production of a tremendous amount of heat, light and sound is called
explosion,
          example: When a cracker is ignited, a sudden reaction, (oxidation
process )takes place, and in which at high speed large amount of gas is
evolved with the production of tremendous amount of heat, light and
sound.

Difference between rapid and spontaneous combustion

Q: Forest fires are a result of which type of combustion and why ?

Forest fires are the result of spontaneous combustion because of the

following factors
(i)   presence of a combustible substance
(ii)   presence of right ignition temperature
(iii)   presence of supporter of combustion in air.