2007-01-02 04:43:42 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Well first things first. It isn't "baking powder" that is used it is "baking soda". Baking powder is generally corn starch, sodium aluminum sulphate, and phosphates of calcium. Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. Which is also a class BC dry chemical in fire extinguishers.
Sodium Bicarbonate is a non-flammable, finely powdered material that is excellent at extinguishing class B fires, particularly grease fires. Sodium Bicarbonate was used for years in kitchen extinguishing systems because it reacts with the hot burning grease to create a foamy, oxygen impenetrable barrier that will extinguish fire.
Sodium Bicarbonate is not as common in fire extinguishers today. Mainly because as a dry chemical it is not suited for class A fires. Instead monoammonium phosphate is used, since it tends to adhere to the burning surfaces of wood, paper, trash, and rubber. Also, for kitchen applications and grease fires, the sodium bicarb agent has been replaced with liquid agents (not water but a special based agent with organic salts) that is better suited for the higher temperatures produced by today's modern cooking appliances and vegetable cooking oils.
For more information about the different types of fire extinguishers and agents used visit...
http://www.fireextinguisher.com
2007-01-03 14:46:14 · answer #1 · answered by todvango 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because small surface area can make the particles bigger which makes colision more frequent. So, faster reaction and the fire is extinguished faster
2007-01-02 04:55:03 · answer #2 · answered by kyriacos d 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The same reason it's sometimes added to toothpase.
It's just one of those things that has a great many uses!
2007-01-04 07:45:59 · answer #3 · answered by Phatcat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it helps extinguish the fire
2007-01-02 06:21:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
When heated it gives off carbon dioxide, which smothers fire (and causes bread to rise).
2007-01-02 04:46:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because it doesn't ignite, and it is good at smothering flames.
2007-01-02 04:45:22 · answer #6 · answered by MOM KNOWS EVERYTHING 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋