i know u need the the elements of fuel, o2(oxygen), and air to burn
i understand the fuel and the o2 helps fuel the fire i guess, but y air?
2007-12-02 16:49:15 · 5 answers · asked by just_kiddin_all_over_you 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Well you only need the air for the O2, Nitrogen is for the most part inert (read boring or unreactive), and it plays no part in combustion. Neither do Argon or CO2, the other common components of air.
Oxygen is necessary because oxygen is the most common reactive gas, and it forms chemical bonds with the substance being burned. But there are other elements and compounds that can also be used for fire, even without oxygen.
2007-12-02 16:57:54 · answer #1 · answered by Edgar Greenberg 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For fire, you need fuel, oxidizer and heat/ ignition source. Since air contains oxygen, it is usually the most common oxidizer we encounter. However a fire could burn in pure oxygen, fluorine, or even chlorine in some situations. Of course, the byproducts of combustion will be different if something other than air/oxygen is used. The oxidizer doesn't have to be oxygen it just has to be a good strong oxidizer.
2007-12-03 00:58:18 · answer #2 · answered by Flying Dragon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Air is an unnecessary part of your equation. Fire needs "air" to burn simply because air contains oxygen in sufficient quantities to support combustion... 21% to be exact.
If you take the oxygen out of air, air would then very swiftly put out a fire that was supported by simple combustion.
2007-12-03 00:56:26 · answer #3 · answered by theopratr 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fire really doesn't need all the components of air, just the oxygen. What you would call "fire" is a chemical reaction (oxidation) that consumes oxygen molocules and gives off heat.
2007-12-03 00:58:48 · answer #4 · answered by TryItOnce 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oxygen present in air, also its a medium for transfer of heat
2007-12-03 00:55:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋