I had one of those random thoughts on the way home from work. Is it possible to have a fire without oxygen ? Or more specifically, is there a thermal gaseous reaction that doesn't consume oxygen?
That's not possible on earth. The sun however, is thermonuclear fusion which is still not fire, but it is still hot gas.
I dont think so
Although there was this one time me and a friend couldn't put out an electrical fire, we tried using smothering, water and a fire extinguisher and it would re ignite instantly. That did still require oxygen though as it went out when oxygen lacked to it
[img]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0zUQbbQhJ9Y/UC2sbrsEiFI/AAAAAAAAATo/nXr28bFScnA/s1600/fire+triangle.png[/img]
Oxygen makes up 1/3 of the fire. And without it, shit won't burn.
Everyone here is wrong. It is possible to have fire using another element as a replacement.
A good example are the very reactive gases such as Chlorine or Fluorine, of course though, none of these things happen in normal life, generally only in a lab
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtWp45Eewtw[/media]
[QUOTE=download;38325336]Everyone here is wrong. It is possible to have fire using another element as a replacement.
A good example are the very reactive gases such as Chlorine or Fluorine, of course though, none of these things happen in normal life, generally only in a lab
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtWp45Eewtw[/media][/QUOTE]
Ah-ha! There's the response I was expecting. I was thinking "surely oxygen isn't the only element that reacts with such thermal power" and there we are, another element.
That looked like some seriously reactive stuff, I'd hate to get that on my socks.
I was under the impression fire was by definition an exothermic [B]oxidation[/B] reaction. Not simply exothermic via a gas.
[QUOTE=WingedAssailant;38325167]I dont think so
Although there was this one time me and a friend couldn't put out an electrical fire, we tried using smothering, water and a fire extinguisher and it would re ignite instantly. That did still require oxygen though as it went out when oxygen lacked to it[/QUOTE]
so youre saying those goddamn birthday candles are actually electrical?
[QUOTE=D3TBS;38325465]so youre saying those goddamn birthday candles are actually electrical?[/QUOTE]
Sort of, some of them use Magnesium which is just as potent. Fry your balls off if your not careful.
Also an oxygen reaction I might add.
[QUOTE=D3TBS;38325465]so youre saying those goddamn birthday candles are actually electrical?[/QUOTE]
That would be because the ignition source (i.e. the electricity) was still connected
[QUOTE=lekkimsm;38325186][img]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0zUQbbQhJ9Y/UC2sbrsEiFI/AAAAAAAAATo/nXr28bFScnA/s1600/fire+triangle.png[/img]
Oxygen makes up 1/3 of the fire. And without it, shit won't burn.[/QUOTE]
[t]http://www.kazerneouderkerk.nl/wp-content/gallery/losse-afbeeldingen/brandvijfhoek.jpg[/t]
I know it's Dutch, but this is more accurate.
[QUOTE=JgcxCub;38325440]I was under the impression fire was by definition an exothermic [B]oxidation[/B] reaction. Not simply exothermic via a gas.[/QUOTE]
You are correct, however oxidation doesn't necessarily mean that the fuel is reacting with oxygen, it simply means that it's reacting with an oxidising agent (usually an element with a higher electronegativity than itself, or something in a higher oxidation state). For example, gunpowder burns because the potassium nitrate in it oxidises the carbon, producing carbon dioxide and nitrogen (and other by products). Another example is the video above, where the oxidising agent is fluorine (the most electronegative element).
Fun fact, you can (indirectly) oxidise oxygen itself using fluorine to produce oxygen difluoride.
Magnesium can burn in water to release hydrogen
[QUOTE=RobbL;38326621]Magnesium can burn in water to release hydrogen[/QUOTE]
It's reacting with the oxygen in the water molecule though.
Whoops, of course. But it can also burn in nitrogen
are you asking if there can be fire (plasma) without oxygen, or if there can be a combustion reaction without oxygen
because there can be plasma without oxygen, but a combustion reaction is fuel+O=co2+h2o, so by definition you have to have oxygen, either by an oxidizer or excess oxygen present
Obviously the fire will die once it runs out of immediate oxygen. Like when you cover a fire with a blanket, for example.
[QUOTE]Along with fluorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine, chlorine is a member of the halogen series that forms the group 17 (formerly VII, VIIA, or VIIB) of the periodic table. Chlorine forms compounds with almost all of the elements to give compounds that are usually called chlorides. Chlorine gas reacts with most organic compounds, and will even sluggishly support the combustion of hydrocarbons[/QUOTE]
Anyone got more information on this?
[QUOTE=Recurracy;38326469][t]http://www.kazerneouderkerk.nl/wp-content/gallery/losse-afbeeldingen/brandvijfhoek.jpg[/t]
I know it's Dutch, but this is more accurate.[/QUOTE]
that looks like a description on how to cast fire spells
[QUOTE=Recurracy;38326469][t]http://www.kazerneouderkerk.nl/wp-content/gallery/losse-afbeeldingen/brandvijfhoek.jpg[/t]
I know it's Dutch, but this is more accurate.[/QUOTE]
Oh america, behind once again.....
[QUOTE=wug;38325162]That's not possible on earth. The sun however, is thermonuclear fusion which is still not fire, but it is still hot gas.[/QUOTE]
Plasma, not gas.
[QUOTE=download;38326202]That would be because the ignition source (i.e. the electricity) was still connected[/QUOTE]
but it wasnt
[QUOTE=Recurracy;38326469][t]http://www.kazerneouderkerk.nl/wp-content/gallery/losse-afbeeldingen/brandvijfhoek.jpg[/t]
I know it's Dutch, but this is more accurate.[/QUOTE]
I knew something was wrong with my attempts at starting fires...
how could I have ever forgotten the Mengverhouding? Of all things? Simply foolish, I tell you.
Dictionary tells me this:
noun
1.
a state, process, or instance of combustion in which fuel or other material is ignited and combined with oxygen, giving off light, heat, and flame.
a state, process, or instance of combustion in which fuel or other material is ignited and combined with oxygen, giving off light, heat, and flame.
combustion in which fuel or other material is ignited and combined with oxygen
combined with oxygen
oxygen
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