2006-07-18 13:51:33 · 11 answers · asked by opitmdotcom 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
If by "water", you mean H2O(l), and we're talking a "normal" flame, then no.
Water vaporizes at 100 C and typical flames (wood, paper) are at least 250 C. When put in contact, the water absorbs the energy of the fire. Once enough energy has been removed, the fire goes away (fire triangle is fuel, oxygen, and heat).
If you want to go for "trick" answers, then sure.
Several organic compounds have flash points (temperature at which spontaneous ignition will occur) well below 100 C (gasoline, diethyl ether), so you could imagine that as long as the oxygen supply isn't cut off (so the material floats on top of the water), its flammable. The water isn't "cold" enough to take away sufficient energy to prevent combustion.
Using water on a gas/oil fire tends to move the burning material around (major issue), but also just doesn't have enough dampening effect to put it out.
Also, steam is H2O(g) or gaseous water. It's still water. But steam can have any temperature above 100 C. So, very hot steam (500+ C) could cause even wood to start to smoulder and burst into flame (again, assuming enough oxygen is around). Needless to say, this situation doesn't develop in the "normal" world. Oh yeah, since we're on tricky answers, live steam is pretty corrossive/good solvent, so your potential fuel is getting subjected to lots of (destructive) forces.
2006-07-18 14:30:41 · answer #1 · answered by ChemDoc 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
For it to still remain water, it has to be at a temperature below 100 deg. C. So no matter how hot it is, as long as it is still in the water form, it will always stop fire because fire temperatures are way too higher than that.
About a possibility of water starting a fire, its impossible. It can be used as a constituent to generate fire though, but raising its temperature can't do that. You need to seperate the Hydrogen & Oxygen molecules (electrolysis), then combine another Oxygen molecule to make it H2O2, which can then yield energy or be used as a propellant. Honda has a car & a scooter now that uses this technology.
I'm not a whiz at chemistry, this is just from the general knowledge that I have, so possibly some explanation about H2O2 & electrolysis above may not be all correct.
2006-07-18 21:02:12 · answer #2 · answered by ngt_765 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are three ways to put out a fire:
Lower the temperature below kindling temperature (ignition)
Remove the oxygen
Remove the fuel
Water is sometimes used (on a non-electrical or non-grease fire) to lower the temperature. The hottest water is still cooler than fire. The fire will heat the water and the water will become steam at 100 degrees Centigrade.
2006-07-18 22:00:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm guessing. I think if water vapor were made hot enough, it could start a fire on paper in an otherwise oxygen atmosphere. Anyway, I would not be surprised if that were true.
2006-07-18 20:56:29 · answer #4 · answered by David S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
never heard of superheated water?
anyway, even as steam, it is still water molecules, and I belive that if u heat them up to 1000 degrees or so... hotter than the ignition temperature of whatever u r trying to burn, it *should* cause combustion... howvever if that substance is too cold, u will just leave condensation on it!
but then again, if u keep blasting it with very hot water (steam) it may end up surpassing ignition temperature and igniting.
2006-07-18 21:26:35 · answer #5 · answered by cybernetic2024 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
water boils at 212 F at regular atmospheric pressure
liquid water is therefore much cooler than any normal combustion (paper burns at about 450 F and it burns cooler than most things)
liquid water puts out fires mainly by cooling them and most of the cooling comes when the water turns from liquid to gas
so, any liquid water will be able to turn to gas and cool a fire to put it out
2006-07-18 21:11:49 · answer #6 · answered by enginerd 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If water reaches a high enough temperature, it is steam!!!?
2006-07-18 20:54:58 · answer #7 · answered by tattie_herbert 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe it's possible for it to catch fire by itself, since water is inflammable. Having said this, if water comes into contact with pure sodium, it will burst into 2,000-degree flames, so it is technically possible for water to produce fire in that way.
2006-07-18 20:59:30 · answer #8 · answered by Finch 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If water reached a high enough temp it would turn into steam and evaporate.
2006-07-18 20:55:24 · answer #9 · answered by Dagblastit 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no. fire cannot "breathe" in water no matter how hot it is. if got hot enough to start a fire it would turn into steam.
2006-07-19 00:06:28 · answer #10 · answered by sid 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋