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MR
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How does water extinguish fire? My 5-year-old brother asked me, and now I'm really curious.
water has a high specific heat, meaning it takes a lot of energy/heat to increase the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree CelciusMR said:Also, I've heard a number of times of using water as a cooling agent (especially in nuclear reactors), but why does water cool things down so well?
Thanks!
Make that 3 things: oxygen, fuel, and heat. Your description has all 3.imabug said:Fire needs two things: oxygen and fuel.
Water cuts off access to oxygen, and cools the fuel to below combustion temperature.
right, heat. i always make that mistake. I figure if you're talking fire, heat's pretty much a given.russ_watters said:Make that 3 things: oxygen, fuel, and heat. Your description has all 3.
Water extinguishes fire through a process called cooling. When water is sprayed onto a fire, it absorbs heat from the fire and lowers the temperature below the point where the fire can sustain itself. This stops the fire from spreading and eventually extinguishes it.
Oxygen is a key factor in fire extinguishment with water. When water is sprayed onto a fire, it creates a barrier between the fuel (the material that is burning) and the oxygen in the air. Without oxygen, the fire cannot continue to burn and is extinguished.
No, not all types of water can be used to extinguish fire. The most effective type of water for fire extinguishment is potable water, which is safe for consumption. Other types of water, such as salt water or contaminated water, may not be as effective and could even make the fire worse.
Yes, the temperature of the water can affect its effectiveness in extinguishing fire. Cold water is generally more effective because it can absorb heat from the fire more quickly. However, using hot water can also be effective as long as it is applied in large quantities.
No, water is not effective for all types of fires. It is most effective for Class A fires, which involve ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper, or cloth. Water can actually make other types of fires, such as grease or electrical fires, worse. It is important to use the correct type of extinguishing agent for each type of fire.