Fire Science and Safety Quiz

The lowest temperature at which a substance catches fire and starts to burn.

A chemical process where a substance reacts with oxygen, releasing heat and light.

A substance that burns easily, like wood or paper.

A substance that cannot catch fire and burn easily, like water or sand.

Substances with very low ignition temperatures that catch fire easily, like petrol or alcohol.

Water cools the burning material below its ignition point, stopping it from burning. It also creates a layer of steam, suffocating the flames and preventing them from spreading.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is heavier than air, forming a blanket over the fire. This blanket cuts off the oxygen supply, suffocating the flames.

Water can conduct electricity, posing a risk of electrocution to those trying to extinguish the fire.

Water is denser than oil and sinks below it. The oil remains on top, continuing to burn.

Water can be very dangerous for electrical or oil fires, as it can conduct electricity and makes oil fires burn more intensely.

A material that, when rubbed against a rough surface, reaches its ignition temperature and catches fire.

In the presence of water, the paper cup's temperature doesn't reach its ignition point, preventing it from burning.

Water vapor surrounds the fuel, blocking the oxygen supply needed for combustion.

Water can conduct electricity, which can cause a shock or worsen an electrical fire.

Oil/petroleum floats on water, continuing to burn on the surface.

A mixture of antimony trisulfide, potassium chlorate, sulfur, glue, and starch, designed to ignite easily.

Rapid combustion produces a large amount of heat and light quickly, like burning a match or cooking gas.

Spontaneous combustion occurs when a material ignites without an external heat source, such as white phosphorus in air.

An explosion generates a rapid release of energy, typically with a loud sound, produced by a very fast combustion reaction (like a firecracker).

Covering someone with a blanket when their clothes are on fire cuts off the oxygen supply, preventing the fire from burning and extinguishing it. This suffocates the flames.

In a fire extinguisher, concentrated sulfuric acid reacts with potassium bicarbonate (baking soda) to produce carbon dioxide ($CO_2$). This gas is heavier than air, suffocating the flames by displacing oxygen.