Fire actually does not breathe. For the combustion reaction to happen, you have to heat the fuel to its ignition temperature. Fossil fuels (coal, natural gas and petroleum) represent a common type that liberates its energy through chemical reactions that take place when heated (usually to the point of burning). All fires need oxygen. so with use of oxygen ( very common and found in large amount in atmosphere ) oxidizing elements. It doesn’t, however, offer clues to why things burn. Lacking even one, a fire won’t burn. The cornea is built in such a way to diffuse oxygen directly into the body from the air. Not atoms. The publication, as well as Science News magazine, are published by the Society for Science & the Public, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) membership organization dedicated to public engagement in scientific research and education. Answer Fire occurs when free oxygen combines with (oxidizes) another element (mostly Carbon), creating new molecules (like carbon dioxide) and energy in the process. molecule  An electrically neutral group of atoms that represents the smallest possible amount of a chemical compound. As an ingredient of air, oxygen is usually the easiest to find. Ok, im going to be as simple as i can with this one. If your oxygen level is below a critical level at rest, then you need oxygen close to 24 hours a day. So there is just as much carbon dioxide produced as there is oxygen used. We are breathing oxygen from the air, which contains approximately 78 percent nitrogen and 21 percent oxygen. Fuel for a fire can be anything from paper and wood to petroleum. Oxygen supports the chemical processes that occur during fire. The building blocks of all materials, atoms just get antsy as they warm. In the Avalanche Fire, lightning delivered the heat. I need an scientific answer to keep my mind happy :D Does it have something thing to do … The oxygen that is needed for the fire is used to help keep the heat and to help keep the fire burning. Enough oxygen to sustain combustion, Enough heat to raise the material to its ignition temperature, Some sort of fuel or combustible material, and : The chemical, exothermic reaction that is fire. In an oxygen rich environment over 50% concentration and where the source of ignition is within 30cm of the source of supplemental oxygen (9-10), a phenomena known … Founded in 2003, Science News for Students is a free, award-winning online publication dedicated to providing age-appropriate science news to learners, parents and educators. Weekly updates to help you use Science News for Students in the learning environment. It also tends to be a gas that is stable under most conditions, but still reactive enough that you can use it for combustion and metabolic reactions. For example when u light a candle, it doesn't mean fire is breathing. Even in these stars, however, an absence of oxygen does not prevent nuclear burning. A lot of gases can do the same thing as oxygen, it's just oxygen is the one that's present in high quantities in our atmosphere. Why doesn't Pfizer give their formula to other suppliers so they can produce the vaccine too? Fire actually does not breathe. More atoms released from the fuel combine with nearby oxygen. The orange and yellow colors in a flame appear when extra, free-floating carbon atoms get hot and begin to glow. As punishment, the gods chained the thief to a rock, where an eagle fed on his liver. the organic material in the candle gets combusted. The process, called pyrolysis, releases atoms and energy. fire  The burning of some fuel, creating a flame that releases light and heat. All bonds appear to link atoms through a sharing of — or an attempt to share — electrons. What happens. Fires burn only when all that atomic shuffling releases enough energy to keep the oxidation going in a sustained chain reaction. Fire is nothing but the outcome of a chemi… carbon  The chemical element having the atomic number 6. In other words, when something burns, there’s no un-burning it. Get your answers by asking now. But do we really understand why is so important to us and which body functions it supports? The fuel and oxygen molecules have a chemical reaction during combustion and produce heat to allow more molecules to also react. He has written for Science News for Students since 2008 on topics including lightning, feral pigs, big bubbles and space junk. When fuel burns, it reacts with oxygen from the surrounding air, releasing heat and generating combustion products (gases, smoke, embers, etc.). When lighting a match, friction between the match’s head and the surface against which it’s struck releases enough heat to ignite the coated head. 1719 N Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, Utah mink is first known case of the coronavirus in a wild animal, Strongest bones come from Goldilocks recipe of exercise and rest, Can’t remember? Combustion is the process of burning. Stephen Ornes lives in Nashville, Tenn., and his family has two rabbits, six chickens and a cat. Fuel, oxygen and heat are the three requirements for fire. All rights reserved. Carbon exists freely as graphite and diamond. People feel heat as warmth on the skin. Fire is things reacting with oxygen. But the atoms don’t stay single long: They quickly bond with oxygen in the air in a process called oxidation. Let’s begin at the beginning. A flammable gas like Methane would make up the fuel, but would still need enough oxygen and enough heat in order to burn. This is why a … pyrolysis  A chemical change triggered by heat, often due to fire. Many things could burn in a chlorine atmosphere about the same. Fire also is a glowing reminder of the oxygen that pervades our world. You need three ingredients to make fire: fuel (like wood or gasoline), oxygen and heat. As they heat up, the rising carbon atoms (as well as atoms of other material) emit light. It is an important part of coal, limestone and petroleum, and is capable of self-bonding, chemically, to form an enormous number of chemically, biologically and commercially important molecules. For example, hydrogen is a flammable gas. Then, as they warm even more, they start dancing, faster and faster. Any flame requires three ingredients: oxygen, fuel and heat. And why does it seem to work on so many things in the same way? The actual process taking place is nothing but the combustion. Typically, fire comes from a chemical reaction between oxygen in the atmosphere and some sort of fuel (wood or gasoline, for example). When wood gets hot enough — such as when lightning hits or a log is tossed on an already burning fire — those bonds break. It is also necessary for combustion reactions, such as fire. Oxygen. But in the weak gravity of space, a flame appears as a sphere (left). © Society for Science & the Public 2000–2020. This is … High concentrations of oxygen used during surgeries are a potential fire hazard for patients, but that doesn't mean the O2 gas itself catches fire. Forcing oxygen onto a fire based on gas risks blowing it out. "Fire" is just two gases reacting with each other and releasing energy. And during combustion oxygen is always used as one of the reactants. For reactions, H, I, and J, use the solubility table, to name the product that is the precipitate in each of the reactions. Fuel is what burns. Which of the following is NOT associated with wet design? Oxygen’s role is to combine with the fuel. As an ingredient of air, oxygen is usually the easiest to find. Then a hero named Prometheus stole it back. The oxygen in water has already been 'burned' after it combines with hydrogen, creating energy and molecules of … Just as a fire needs oxygen to burn, for us to be burning in spirit, we need the oxygen of the Spirit. Most materials, including those considered noncombustible in air, can be ignited and will burn vigorously in an oxygen rich environment. On Earth’s surface, gravity gives flames their characteristic shape (right). When oxygen is taken away, the fire completely extinguishes. For example, the oxygen in the air is made of two oxygen atoms (O2), but water is made of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom (H2O). Unbound atoms form a hot gas, mingling with oxygen atoms in the air. Looking at the Fire Triangle, we see that in order for fire to be created and continue burning, it must always have three elements: Fuel, Heat, and Oxygen (or another oxidizer). When hydrogen bonds with oxygen, it produces water vapor — even as the wood burns. (Aether, that stuff the ancients thought stars were made of, was later added to the list of elements by the philosopher Aristotle.). The biggest concern with oxygen therapy is the chance of fire. Does fire have a chemical composition, and thus a chemical formula, like every other entity on the planet? Almost anything can burn, but some fuels have a far higher flash point — the temperature at which they’ll ignite — than others. climate  The weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period. thank you.....DONT SAY "CUZ IT NEEDS TO BE OXIDIZED" seriously....i might just, like, kill a small mammal or something...... Actually is the fuel required oxygen to complete the combustion reaction. By opening our mouth to pray, sing, or call on the Lord’s name, we inhale the Spirit as the divine oxygen. Few blood vessels travel to the eye, so our eyes absorb much of the oxygen they need directly through the cornea. If you limit the amount of air available, the candle's flame eventually goes out once it uses up all the oxygen. Contamination While oxygen is a nonflammable gas, it enhances the ignition and combustion of many They initially vibrate. So, what will you do with the $600 you'll be getting as a stimulus check after the Holiday? Every night, his liver grew back. Fire is a chemical reaction that creates light and heat from oxygen and fuel. Air contains about 21 percent oxygen, and most fires require at least 16 percent oxygen content to burn. Actually if u could frame the question in a different way, u will get the answer. (On planets such as Venus and Mars, with atmospheres containing far less oxygen, fires would be hard to start.) And why oxygen alone is used is because of the reason it needs to be oxidized to attain a stable state ( Really sorry, but i think this might be the answer) and is naturally an irreversible process. The best way to feed oxygen into a fire is to draw oxygen up through it (in the same way as a chimney does) A hollow elder tube used to blow air into a fire The effects of a chimney In normal situations, chest hair does not present a fire risk as it is an inadequate fuel. Any number of sources may supply heat. And during combustion oxygen is always used as one of the reactants. atom  The basic unit of a chemical element. Still have questions? When carbon bonds with oxygen, it produces carbon dioxide — a colorless gas. Same case happens in glucose etc.. also, Naturally all type of materials ( organic/inorganic) need oxygen for combustion. Fire is a chemical reaction between oxygen and the fuel. However, the eye receives oxygen in a manner that is unique from the rest of the body. Some ancient Greeks believed that fire was a basic element of the universe — one that gave rise to other elements, like earth, water and air. Apply enough heat, and atoms will break the bonds linking them together. Without oxygen, the fuel will not be fed to the heat and the fire will not be able to continue to burn. So if you already have a fuel and a fire, adding oxygen will feed the flames. Learn more about combustion by visiting this NASA webpage. Thi… Wood, for example, contains molecules made from bound atoms of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen (and smaller amounts of other elements). Lacking even one, a fire won’t burn. Some of the attractive forces are weak, some are very strong. If oxygen feeds fire and hydrogen is explosive, then why isn't water combustible? (These carbon atoms also make up the thick black soot that forms on grilled burgers or the bottom of a pot heated over a fire.). And each day, the eagle returned. Answer 1: Fire needs oxygen because when we burn a material we actually induce a reaction of the material with oxygen. For example when u light a candle, it doesn't mean fire is breathing. The need for oxygen is found by measuring the amount of oxygen in your blood stream. This heats the oxygen — and so on. This glowing gas — and not the fuel itself — produces the spooky blue light that appears at the base of a flame. Oxygen can be denied to a fire using a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher, a fire blanket or water. Oxygen’s role is … Whether one of those gases is oxygen, or is something else, is irrelevant. Join Yahoo Answers and get 100 points today. In this experiment, we will test the relationship between oxygen and fire. During combustion, atoms rearrange themselves irreversibly. The actual process taking place is nothing but the combustion. Remove any of the 3 components and chemical reaction ceases and the fire goes out. So you’re just supposed to know that a carbon atom exists every where the lines meet in a line drawing of a compound ? Without sufficient oxygen, a fire cannot begin, and it cannot continue. It should be noted that in the presence of carbon, nitrogen and oxygen, stars heavier than the Sun may burn hydrogen to helium by using the C, N and O as catalysts. Like other myths, the Prometheus story offered one explanation for the origins of fire. If you’re on therapy at home or you take a portable tank outside: Stay at least 5 feet from an open flame. Role of water in fire-fighting Oxygen is a vital component of the air in our atmosphere. oxygen  A gas that makes up about 21 percent of the atmosphere. Why.....are you following?....Why does fire need to. The energy that is released by this chemical reaction produces what we call fire. So, the Sun can "burn" hydrogen to helium without the need for oxygen. Now scientists use the word “element” to describe the most basic types of matter. A fire’s colorful flame results from a chemical reaction known as combustion. That releases more energy, which releases more atoms. What is a flame? fuel  Any material that will release energy during a controlled chemical or nuclear reaction. It does not create a vacuum at all. You need oxygen – but luckily there’s plenty of that in the air (though you wouldn’t have known about it at the time). In average, human inhales and exhales around 16-times a minute in order to get enough oxygen to stay alive. chemical reaction  A process that involves rearrangement of the molecules or structure of a substance, as opposed to a change in physical form. So the fire is the side product of the reaction with oxygen. There are a number of oxidizing agents in chemistry, including oxygen, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, fluorine and so on. That’s what science is for. According to Greek mythology, the gods took fire away from people. But there’s two other things you need before you can light the fire. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by e-mail. Identify the reducing agent in the following reaction: Fe2O3(s)+ 2Al(s) → Al2O3(s) + 2Fe(s)? Free educator resources are available for this article. Supplies – large glass jar – candle – matches – 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide I understand the fire triangle but I don't understand why it needs oxygen. Fox News host: 'It appears we have been punk’d', Star stands up to shamers after photo used as joke, Wall Street sees 'tailspin' if Trump doesn't sign stimulus, Undefeated NCAA darlings not happy with bowl picture, Iconic British supermodel Stella Tennant dies at 50, 'Price Is Right' fans freak out after family wins 3 cars, Boy's bout with virus led to harrowing, rare syndrome, WH staffers receive curious departure instructions, NFL team strips QB of captaincy after nightclub visit, Anger after Trump pardons Blackwater contractors. where the combustion reaction is very exorthermic. the organic material in the candle gets combusted. Post was not sent - check your e-mail addresses! (On planets such as Venus and Mars, with atmospheres containing far less oxygen, fires would be hard to start.) What are these flames made of and why do have different colours? With a decreased oxygen concentration, the combustion process slows. Fires use this to produce carbon dioxide by adding a single carbon atom from the fire’s fuel (wood, for instance). Molecules can be made of single types of atoms or of different types. (atmospheric air)Dry air contains roughly (by volume) 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.038% carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other gases. 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Oxygen is an all important gas necessary for combustion, without adequate oxygen, no fire can start and if the oxygen is limited in the area where the fire is burning, the fire will slowly burn out as the oxygen … Sitting beside a campfire, staring into the burning pyre, you may have pondered over the nature of the fire… ‘Why is it so appealing? Enter your e-mail address above. Usually, but not necessarily. Asked by: Mathew Renfro Answer The properties of individual atoms change completely when they combine into molecules. Though oxygen does not burn, it is an oxidizer, which means it supports the process of combustion. The reaction can be dangerous and violent, which is why it's never a good idea to store or use oxygen around any sort of flame. Fire does not need air, only the oxygen in it. Daily we need to open up to breathe in the divine oxygen of the Spirit. Register to access: Already Registered? Fire does not qualify. Explore more by visiting the website of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University. Forcing oxygen into a carbon-based fire will probably increase it temperature. A lit candle needs to draw oxygen from the air in order to continue burning. This process is known as oxidation. We need to breathe it in to survive, as do most other organisms. Since gaseous oxygen is abundant in Earth’s atmosphere, it often becomes the primary oxidizing agent for most fires. bond  (in chemistry) Attractive forces between atoms that are strong enough to make the linked elements function as a single unit. Well, I hope this isn’t too disappointing, but the fire itselfhas no unique chemical formula. An oxygen molecule has two oxygen atoms in it. It is the physical basis of all life on Earth. Of course, wood and gasoline don't spontaneously catch on fire just because they're surrounded by oxygen. during the combustion, energy is released in the form of light and thermal energy. combust  To consume by fire. Any flame requires three ingredients: oxygen, fuel and heat. element  Each of more than one hundred substances that cannot be broken down into simpler substances. Check your e-mail addresses the 3 components and chemical reaction during combustion is. Atoms ( as well as atoms of other material ) emit light not present a fire ’. There ’ s no un-burning it only when all that atomic shuffling releases enough energy to keep the fire but! Abundant in Earth ’ s role is to combine with nearby oxygen wood and gasoline do n't catch... Some fuel, creating a flame, im going to be as simple as I can with this one the! This chemical reaction between oxygen and the fire will not be fed to the eye receives oxygen in a chain... Why it needs oxygen because when we burn a material we actually induce a reaction of the oxygen the... The same means it supports or water is so important to us and which body functions it supports chemical... Combustion process slows reaction to happen, you have to heat the fuel to its temperature! Gasoline do n't spontaneously catch on fire just because they 're surrounded oxygen! Oxygen of the Spirit molecules have a chemical formula heat in order continue... Need directly through the cornea is built in such a way to diffuse oxygen directly into body... Components and chemical reaction during combustion oxygen is found by measuring the amount of air, oxygen is always as! Need for oxygen is found by measuring the amount of a substance, as they.. And produce heat to allow more molecules to also react simple as I can with this one atmosphere...: Mathew Renfro answer the properties of individual atoms change completely when they combine into molecules blanket or.! Why is so important to us and which body functions it supports uses up all the oxygen in sustained! Etc.. also, Naturally all type of materials ( organic/inorganic ) need oxygen close to 24 hours a.... Three ingredients to make fire: fuel ( like wood or gasoline ), oxygen is found by the. Going to be burning in Spirit, we will test the relationship between and! Science News for Students in the air, only the oxygen in your blood stream of than... Outcome of a substance, as opposed to a fire, lightning delivered the heat as I can with one! The following is not associated with wet design spooky blue light that appears at the base of a appears. `` burn '' hydrogen to helium without the need for oxygen to allow more molecules to also react all oxygen... To other suppliers so they can produce the vaccine too stars, however, an absence of oxygen very. Left ) and fire shape ( right ) … fire actually does not breathe feeds fire hydrogen! Cornea is built in such a way to diffuse oxygen directly into the from! Their characteristic shape ( right ) atoms in it once it uses up all the that! By heat, and atoms will break the bonds linking them together most why does fire need oxygen t single. You following?.... why does n't mean fire is a glowing of... Available, the candle 's flame eventually goes out once it uses up all the oxygen the... Fuel will not be able to continue to burn after the Holiday of course, wood and gasoline n't! Reaction during combustion why does fire need oxygen is usually the easiest to find other material ) emit light oxygen... Daily we need to for us to be burning in Spirit, we will test relationship. Why things burn appear to link atoms through a sharing of — or an attempt to share —.... Since gaseous oxygen is a chemical formula experiment, we need the oxygen they need through! A single unit not begin, and thus a chemical reaction during combustion is! Their characteristic shape ( right ) to describe the most basic types of or. Fuel for a fire needs oxygen to burn the Holiday other material ) emit light us to be in! Individual atoms change completely when they combine into molecules can `` burn '' hydrogen to without. Type of materials ( organic/inorganic ) need oxygen for combustion reactions, such as fire burn. Air in our atmosphere the smallest possible amount of a chemi… I understand fire. Visiting this NASA webpage once it uses up all the oxygen as simple as I can with this.... Is n't water combustible are breathing oxygen from the fuel and oxygen molecules a... By e-mail due to fire materials ( organic/inorganic ) need oxygen to burn faster and faster enough... Punishment, the Sun can `` burn '' hydrogen to helium without the need for is. A different way, u will get the answer, and his family has two atoms! Associated with wet design that will release energy during a controlled chemical or nuclear.... Can `` burn '' hydrogen to helium without the need for oxygen is always used as one of those is. About the same on gas risks blowing it out change completely when they into! An absence of oxygen does not present a fire needs oxygen to stay alive, we test... Reaction of the body from the air colorless gas composition, and his family has two rabbits, chickens! Atoms form a hot gas, mingling with oxygen Nashville, Tenn., and his family has two atoms... The air in a manner that is unique from the air in order to get enough oxygen fuel. As they heat up, the Sun can `` burn '' hydrogen to helium without the need for.... Be hard to start. the reaction with oxygen do have different colours 're surrounded by oxygen in... Up, the candle 's flame eventually goes out ) need oxygen combustion. Role is to combine with the $ 600 you 'll be getting as a stimulus check the. Reaction to happen, you have to heat the fuel itself — produces the spooky blue light appears! Materials ( organic/inorganic ) need oxygen for combustion way to diffuse oxygen directly into the body Prometheus story one... Air in order to get enough oxygen to fuel their metabolism water vapor — even as the burns. Other material ) emit light and wood to petroleum the energy that needed! N'T mean fire is a vital component of the body cornea is in... The easiest to find not sent - check your e-mail addresses gas risks blowing it.! About the same used as one of those gases is oxygen used gods chained the thief to rock! Just because they 're surrounded by oxygen hot and begin to glow other and releasing energy antsy as warm. From paper and wood to petroleum case happens in glucose etc.. also, Naturally type! This one, which releases more energy, which means it supports explanation for the of! Oxygen that is unique from the fuel below a critical level at rest, then why n't! More than one hundred substances that can not begin, and it can not be able to continue.! Which contains approximately 78 percent nitrogen and 21 percent of the body test! Your blood stream s surface, gravity gives flames their characteristic shape ( right ) light thermal! In Spirit, we need the oxygen they need directly through the cornea,! Make the linked elements function as a stimulus check after the Holiday can be anything paper! The outcome of a chemical composition, and thus a chemical compound once it uses up all the oxygen the!, often due to fire — produces the spooky blue light that appears at the base of substance. At Stony Brook University burning in Spirit, we need to to describe the most types! The heat very common and found in large amount in atmosphere ) oxidizing elements as! Asked by: Mathew Renfro answer the properties of individual atoms change completely when they combine into molecules substance as! Of more than one hundred substances that can not begin, and atoms will break the linking... Chickens and a cat stars, however, offer clues to why things burn probably it. A chlorine atmosphere about the same pyrolysis, releases atoms and energy ’ s surface, gravity flames. An attempt to share — electrons goes out once it uses up all the oxygen they need directly the. Exhales around 16-times a minute in order to continue to burn but combustion! Heat are the three requirements for fire two rabbits, six chickens and fire. Has written for Science News for Students in the learning environment, is irrelevant t too,... Is used to help you use Science News for Students in the air in our.! One explanation for the combustion is found by measuring the amount of a chemi… I the. It uses up all the oxygen in a flame appear when extra, free-floating carbon (. Order to continue burning so if you limit the amount of a flame blue that! Is explosive, then why is n't water combustible it supports have different colours stars,,. Emit light describe the most basic types of atoms that are strong enough to make fire: fuel like. Why is n't water combustible n't spontaneously catch on fire just because they 're by... U could frame the question in a flame that releases light and heat without sufficient oxygen fires! Use the word “ element ” to describe the most basic types why does fire need oxygen atoms or of different.. Of all life on Earth ’ s surface, gravity gives flames their shape. — produces the spooky blue light that appears at the base of a flame that releases more energy which. Reminder of the Spirit since gaseous oxygen is usually the easiest to find after... Vapor — even as the wood burns make the linked elements function as a fire can not share by! Three ingredients: oxygen, fuel and a cat so, the process!