Hydrogen being a highly inflammable gas and oxygen being a supporter of combustion, yet water which is a compound made up of hydrogen and oxygen is used to extinguish fire.Why?

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Answer

Water is compound of hydrogen and oxygen. water basically cools the comustible material so that its temperatur omes down below its ignition temp. this prevents the fire from spreading.

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During a chemical reaction...the priducts are completely different from their reactants...products properties r totally different from the reactants properties

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in element form they poses these properties but in compound form it is water which has property of extinguishing

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Introduction:
Water, a compound composed of hydrogen and oxygen, is commonly used to extinguish fires despite hydrogen being highly inflammable and oxygen being a supporter of combustion. This apparent contradiction can be explained by understanding the properties and behavior of water when it comes into contact with fire.

Understanding Combustion:
Before diving into the explanation, it is crucial to understand the concept of combustion. Combustion is a chemical process that occurs when a fuel reacts with an oxidizer in the presence of heat, resulting in the release of energy in the form of heat and light.

Key Point 1: The Role of Oxygen in Combustion:
Oxygen is an essential component for combustion to occur. It acts as the oxidizer, providing the necessary oxygen molecules to react with the fuel, breaking it down and releasing energy. Oxygen supports the combustion process by being a reactant.

Key Point 2: The Role of Hydrogen in Combustion:
Hydrogen, on the other hand, is highly flammable and readily reacts with oxygen. It is a fuel that can sustain combustion, as it releases a significant amount of energy when ignited.

Why Water Extinguishes Fire:
Despite hydrogen's flammability and oxygen's role in supporting combustion, water is an effective extinguishing agent. This is due to several factors:

Key Point 3: Cooling Effect:
Water has a high heat capacity, meaning it can absorb and retain a large amount of heat. When water is applied to a fire, it absorbs the heat from the flames and surrounding materials. This absorption of heat deprives the fire of the necessary energy to sustain combustion, effectively lowering the temperature and extinguishing the flames.

Key Point 4: Heat Dissipation:
Water also vaporizes when exposed to heat, converting from a liquid to a gas. During this phase change, water molecules absorb a significant amount of heat energy from the fire. The conversion of water to steam helps dissipate heat, creating a barrier between the fuel and oxygen, thereby preventing further combustion.

Key Point 5: Oxygen Exclusion:
When water is sprayed onto a fire, it creates a physical barrier between the fuel and oxygen, effectively excluding oxygen from the combustion process. Without an adequate oxygen supply, the fire cannot sustain itself and is extinguished.

Conclusion:
Although hydrogen is highly flammable and oxygen supports combustion, water can effectively extinguish fires. This is due to its ability to absorb heat, dissipate heat through phase change, and exclude oxygen from the combustion process. Understanding these properties of water allows us to utilize it as a vital tool in fire suppression and prevention.

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