2006-06-10 18:27:47 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Fuel, Heat, Oxygen - Also known as the traditional fire triangle.
Fuel - Something that can be burned
Heat - The fuel must be heated to the point that it can burn. Yes, it's true that once the fire starts it can and does generate it's own heat, but if that heat were removed somehow (i.e. the application of water), the fire goes out.
Oxygen - Fire's need oxygen to burn. This is either the oxygen in the air, or from the chemicals that are burning, such as oxidizers. If you were to interrupt the oxygen with say another gas, such as CO2 (as in a CO2 fire extinguisher), or blanket the fuel with dry chemical, a fire blanket, foam, etc., the fire goes out.
There is actually a fourth component to fire, and that's the chemical chain reaction itself. Adding this forth component changes the fire triangle to a fire tetrahedron. If the chemical reaction is halted, say by adding Halon, FM-200, FE-13, or some other gaseous fire extinguishing agent, the fire goes out. (and NO, halon does not "suck" all the oxygen out of the air, there's much more to it than that.)
That all being said, I like hatingmsn's answer that you may also need a permit! HEHE... good one and may actually be a fifth component!
2006-06-11 12:49:24 · answer #1 · answered by todvango 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need fuel, oxygen, and something to ignite fire. A lot of people said that you need heat, but that is not exactly correct. Combustion is exothermic reaction, meaning that it gives out energy as a form of heat when burning the fuel.
(Hess' Law is applied)
2006-06-11 00:07:20 · answer #2 · answered by prep 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fuel, oxygen, and a heat source (a flint, a spark, a flame, etc.)
2006-06-10 18:30:26 · answer #3 · answered by magic621a 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fuel, Air and something to burn. (And a fourth thing for some people is an Arsonist's Mind)
2006-06-10 18:32:44 · answer #4 · answered by A.S.I. - 7 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oxygen i know for sure, something to burn, and i guess something to start it. what do u mean u need heat? then how do u start fires in arctic temps? maybe you mean something to start it
2006-06-10 18:31:12 · answer #5 · answered by sunkistOJ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to acheive fire you need air(oxygen), a fuel(gas), and heat or spark.
2006-06-10 18:31:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
fuel, air, and something to ignite the fire
2006-06-10 18:30:37 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
flint, stone, and starter (an old cloth or something that will catch fire easily)
2006-06-10 18:30:11 · answer #8 · answered by Brandi G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
something flamable, a spark and oxygen
2006-06-10 18:29:51 · answer #9 · answered by kclo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oxygen..kindling..and probably a permit..you know how nosey localities can be.
2006-06-10 18:30:50 · answer #10 · answered by hatingmsn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋