Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Combustion does not always result in fire, because a flame is only visible when substances undergoing combustion vaporize, but when it does, a flame is a characteristic indicator of the reaction. While activation energy must be supplied to initiate combustion (e.g., using a lit match to light a fire), the heat from a flame may provide enough ...
Combustion is a chemical reaction that feeds a fire more heat and allows it to continue. Once a fire has started, the resulting exothermic chain reaction sustains the fire and allows it to continue until or unless at least one of the elements of the fire is blocked: foam can be used to deny the fire the oxygen it needs
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material (the fuel) in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. [ 1 ] [ a ] At a certain point in the combustion reaction, called the ignition point, flames are produced.
Flammability is the ease with which a combustible substance can be ignited, causing fire or combustion or even an explosion. The degree of difficulty required to cause the combustion of a substance is quantified through fire testing. Internationally, a variety of test protocols exist to quantify flammability.
For example, when a lighter is held to a candle, the applied heat causes the fuel molecules in the candle wax to vaporize. [ note 1 ] In this state they can then readily react with oxygen in the air, which gives off enough heat in the subsequent exothermic reaction to vaporize yet more fuel, thus sustaining a consistent flame.
The closest will be the hottest part of a flame, where the combustion reaction is most efficient. This also assumes complete combustion (e.g. perfectly balanced, non-smoky, usually bluish flame). Several values in the table significantly disagree with the literature [ 1 ] or predictions by online calculators.
The county is still determining the cost of putting out the fire. Spontaneous combustion blamed for Park City recycling center fire; damage estimate is $1M Skip to main content
Damage to buildings, equipment and people can result from a large-scale, short-duration deflagration. The potential damage is primarily a function of the total amount of fuel burned in the event (total energy available), the maximum reaction velocity that is achieved, and the manner in which the expansion of the combustion gases is contained.