Why isn't fire an element?

Question

Water is, air is, and don't get me started on earth.

Why do the mean old scientists have to leave poor old fire out? D:

Answer 1

. Earth, water and air are all forms of matter -- they are made up of millions and millions of atoms collected together. Fire isn't matter at all. It's a visible, tangible side effect of matter changing form -- it's one part of a chemical reaction.

Typically, fire comes from a chemical reaction between oxygen in the atmosphere and some sort of fuel (wood or gasoline, for example). Of course, wood and gasoline don't spontaneously catch on fire just because they're surrounded by oxygen. For the combustion reaction to happen, you have to heat the fuel to its ignition temperature

Answer 2

Earth, wind, and fire is a band.

As for fire, it is the result of rapid oxidation... Water is 2 elements... 2 hydrogen molecules and 1 oxygen (oh, lucky oxygen), Earth is a mix of carbon-based organic compounds, clays, and some bacteria thrown in. Wind is a nice blend of elemental gasses from our atmosphere (some oxygen, some nitrogen, and depending on your proximity to cow pastures or a burrito some methane) to name a few.

The good news is that fire didn't get singled out. They all got kicked out together.

Answer 3

like everyone else says earth, wind and water are 3 states of matter - solid, gas, and liquid. Fire is an energy release, but is reminiscent of another state of matter, that of plasma. The sun is hygrogen and helium atoms in a superheated plasma state. Thus, the four states of matter can be listed as earth, wind, fire, and water.

Answer 4

water air and earth are matter, fire is a chemical reaction

Answer 5

I think that you realize that none of the things that you listed are actually elements. ;-)