what is fire?

Question

what is fire exactly? it isn't matter (no fire atoms/particles), it isn't energy (it is a SOURCE of energy), it is affected by external influences (wind,etc..), it doesn't fall, it can't exist on it's own (as in without fuel.) so what IS fire?

Answer 1

Fire is rapid oxydation. And it is NOT a source of energy because it needs fuel to continue.

Answer 2

a state, process, or instance of combustion in which fuel or other material is ignited and combined with oxygen, giving off light, heat, and flame.

Fire is a self sustaining oxidation process accompanied by heat and light in the form of a glow or flames. It is commonly used to describe either a fuel in a state of combustion (e.g., a campfire, or a lit fireplace or stove) or a violent, destructive and uncontrolled burning (e.g., in buildings or a wildfire). The discovery of making fire is considered one of the most important elements in the progression of humankind, for it let higher hominids ward off wild animals, cook food, and provide warmth.

Fire is the rapid oxidation of a fuel (combustion) with associated flame, heat, and light. The flame itself is a thin region of gas where intense chemical reactions are taking place. The reacting gas in this area is often hot enough to glow visibly, although some flames can be nearly invisible. Typical flames are just incandescent gas, and are plasmas, because they are hot enough to be sufficiently ionized.
Fires start when both a flammable and or a combustible material with an adequate supply of oxygen or another oxidizer is subjected to enough heat. The common fire-causing sources of heat include a spark, another fire (such as an explosion, a fire in the oven or fireplace, or a lit match, lighter or cigarette) and sources of intense thermal radiation (such as sunlight, a flue, an incandescent light bulb or a radiant heater). Mechanical and electrical machinery may cause fire if combustible materials used on or located near the equipment are exposed to intense heat from Joule heating, friction or exhaust gas. Fires can sustain themselves by the further release of heat energy in the process of combustion and may propagate, provided there is a continuous supply of oxygen and fuel. Fires may become uncontrolled and cause great damage to and destruction of human life, animals, plants and property. Fires can also occur through instantaneous combustion. This highly disputed phenomenon is currently under research. It is known that this does occur in a vacuum but is disputed as to whether or not it occurs in nature. This act of combustion leads to an exothermic reaction, which in turn is able to be used as a power source. By harnessing this heat from the combustion of coal, wood, petroleum, and oils; we are able to produce power for things such as automotives, power cells, and power plants.

Fire is extinguished when any of the elements of the so-called fire tetrahedron—heat, oxygen, fuel or the self-sustaining chemical reaction — are removed. The unburnable solid remains of a combustible material left after a fire are called ash.

Answer 3

Fire is a rapid oxidation process that creates light, heat, and smoke, and varies in intensity. It is commonly used to describe either a fuel in a state of combustion (e.g., a campfire, or a lit fireplace or stove) or a violent, destructive and uncontrolled burning (e.g., in buildings or a wildfire). The discovery of making fire is considered one of the most important evolutions of humankind, for it allowed higher hominids to ward off wild animals, cook food, and provide warmth as well as a source of light in darkness.

Fire is one of the four classical elements, as well as one of the five Chinese elements. In Hinduism fire is one of five sacred elements (space, air, fire, water, earth) of which all living creatures are comprised and is considered an eternal witness essential to sacred religious ceremonies.

Fire is a symbol of Ahura Mazda, the god of the Zoroastrian religion. A Zoroastrian place of worship is known as a Fire Temple. Fire is also an important part of Calcination, the fire operation in the art of alchemy.

In Roman mythology, Vulcan is the god of fire. The analogue in Greek mythology is Hephaestus. In Greek mythology, Prometheus is the Titan chiefly honored for stealing fire from the gods in the stalk of a fennel plant and giving it to mortals for their use. Orthodox Christians light candles in Churches for the spirit of the dead and for the well being of the living.

In Judaism fire also has great significance. Candles are lit to usher in holidays and to separate Sabbath from the rest of the week, as well as to remember the dead. Another important fire symbol is the Eternal Flame, which was a fire always kept burning in the First and Second Temples.

In Wicca, the element or spirits of fire are one of the four sacred elements of nature. Fire is associated usually with the southern side of a circle or altar arrangement. The other elements include water, air, and earth.

In Christianity, fire is a symbol of the Holy Ghost. It is also often used in descriptions of Hell. Additionally, a fire is used in the Roman Catholic Mass during the Easter Vigil. In the Middle Ages, the judgment of God was appealed to by the ordeal of fire. In Spain, bonfires as associated to the eve of Saint John the Evangelist, a Christianization of the summer solstice, especially in Alicante. In Valencia, Saint Joseph is celebrated by burning allegorical figures on the streets, a Christianization of the spring equinox.

Fire was also a purifier. Giovanni da Pian del Carpine narrates that when he visited the Mongol Batu Khan, he was made to pass between two fires[2] to remove possible witchcraft or poisons.

Fire is sometimes associated with Halloween.

In the Rastafarian tradition fire has a significant role. At the Holy Ceremonies, known as Groundation and Nyahbinghi Theocracy, a very large fire is lit, and is symbolic in creating contact with the Almighty Jah Rastafari. In Rastafari Theology, fire is recognized as the main force in all things, or fire being a means to describe heat. For instance, when a human being dies or animal, they loose their heat, or as the Rastas insist, fire.

Fire has supplied much of the energy which has helped humans since ancient times. Wood was a prehistoric fuel. The use of fossil fuels such as petroleum, natural gas and coal in power plants supplies the vast majority of the world's electricity today. The International Energy Agency states that nearly 80% of the world's power comes from these sources.[3] The fire in a power station is used to heat water, creating steam that drives turbines. The turbines then spin an electric generator to produce power.

The burning of wood is often the first association to the word "fire". It is common in a developing country for wood to be the primary energy source as well. For instance, in Africa, 65% of the energy used comes from the burning of biomass.[4] What is less obvious is that wood burning power stations are less environmentally destructive than the fired oil power station in two major respects. E.ON UK is soon to build a 44 megawatt wood fired power station in the United Kingdom for these reasons, as reported in the Guardian newspaper in October 2005:[5] first, wood is a renewable resource, especially if trees are grown in a modern, sustainable way. Second, the carbon dioxide emissions are negligible because no more carbon dioxide can be produced by burning than would be produced by the natural rotting of wood. Thus, over a 100-year timescale, the effect is carbon-neutral.[6]

Answer 4

Fire is a rapid exothermal chemical reaction where certain elements combine with oxygen.

Answer 5

A chemical reaction

Answer 6

Fire is God's way of showing us a small example of the consequences of not being obedient to him......the lake of fire! It was originally intended for Satan and his followers but there are some folks who are satans followers too! REPENT all you followers of satan!

Answer 7

It's a chemical reaction

Answer 8

Oxidation of materials at high speed.

Answer 9

Fire is Fire pure and simple.

Answer 10

very hot stuff