Fire is a rapid chemical reaction, specifically combustion, that involves a fuel oxidizing (combining with oxygen) and releasing heat and light. It’s a process where a combustible material is heated and reacts with an oxidant, like oxygen, to produce a flame and other reaction products.
Key aspects of fire:
- Combustion: The chemical reaction where a fuel burns.
- Fuel: The material that is burning, like wood, gasoline, or gas.
- Oxidizer: The substance that combines with the fuel, most commonly oxygen.
- Heat and Light: Fire releases energy in the form of heat and light, which are the visible signs of combustion.
- Flame: The visible portion of the fire that gives off light.
- Fire Triangle: The three components needed for fire to exist: fuel, heat, and oxygen.
- Stages of Fire: Fires progress through stages: incipient, growth, fully developed, and decay.
