Question

Fire is a combustion reaction. How does a fire extinguisher stop the fire from continuing to burn?

1) By removing the fuel source
2) By cooling the fire
3) By cutting off the oxygen supply
4) By releasing a chemical that inhibits the combustion reaction

Answer 1

Fire extinguishers stop fires by cooling the fire, cutting off the oxygen supply, or releasing a chemical that inhibits the combustion reaction. They work on one or more elements of the 'fire triangle': fuel, oxygen, and heat.

Step-by-step explanation:

A fire extinguisher stops a fire from continuing to burn by addressing one or more elements of the classic "fire triangle," consisting of oxygen, fuel, and heat, which are necessary for combustion to occur. Fire extinguishers primarily work by:

• Cooling the fire - by reducing the temperature below the ignition point.
• Cutting off the oxygen supply - by displacing the oxygen around the fire with another substance (such as CO2 or foam).
• Releasing a chemical that inhibits the combustion reaction - by interfering with the chemical reactions that are occurring.

While some extinguishers do remove the fuel source, it's not the primary method by which most extinguishers operate. The effectiveness of an extinguisher depends on the type of fire and the agent it uses.