Final answer:
Dry powder and dry chemical extinguishing agents are not the same. Dry chemical is one type of dry powder extinguishing agent, while dry powder is a specific type of extinguishing agent.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dry powder and dry chemical extinguishing agents are both used as fire suppressants, but they are not the same.
Dry chemical is one of the many types of dry powder extinguishing agents. It consists of a combination of chemicals, such as ammonium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, or potassium bicarbonate. Dry chemical extinguishers work by interrupting the chemical chain reaction of the fire, preventing it from spreading.
Dry powder, on the other hand, is a specific type of extinguishing agent that uses fine particles, such as sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate, to smother the fire and coat the fuel surface, depriving the fire of oxygen.