Question

..Carbon-di-oxide is the best fire extinguisher for inflammable materials like petrol. Which property
of carbon-di-oxide is responsible for this choice? Explain briefly.
​

Answer 1

Water cannot be used to extinguish fires caused due to petrol or oils as they are lighter than water and start floating on it . So , Carbon dioxide is used instead .

« Reason for Choice »

→ It is used as it's a heavy gas which starts to form a thick blanket around the flames and cuts off the Oxygen supply . As oxygen is one of the most important components for combustion (burning) ; the flames gets controlled and thus gets extinguished .

« Supplementary information »

• Combustion is the chemical process that takes place in presence of Oxygen releasing energy .

• Burning is the process of chemical reaction in which substances react with oxygen in order to produce energy and byproducts.

• Conditions necessary for Combustion :

1. Presence of combustible substance .
2. Presence of Oxygen
3. Low ignition temperature

Answer 2

Answer:

As fire needs oxygen for spreading, carbon dioxide reduces the oxygen level near the flame and therefore it extinguishes fire