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Dry-chemical fire extiguiguishers contain NaHCO3. How might powered NaHCO3 help extinguish a fire?

2007-07-28 21:56:51 · 2 answers · asked by Nicole J 1 in Science & Mathematics Chemistry

2 answers

Sodium bicarbonate is less stable with respect to heating. Solid NaHCO3 begins to lose carbon dioxide and water around 100°C, with complete conversion to sodium carbonate by 200°C:
2 NaHCO3(s) CO2(g) + H2O(g) + Na2CO3(s)
Anhydrous sodium carbonate melts at 851°C (1124 K); however, it gradually decomposes in the temperature range you've specified, according to
Na2CO3(s) CO2(g) + Na2O(s)...

2007-07-28 22:23:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

The powder itself would help stop oxygen getting to the fire, but also thermal decomposition:

2NaHCO3 ----> Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2

The CO2 will help!

2007-07-28 22:16:53 · answer #2 · answered by Gervald F 7 · 1 0

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