Final answer:
The third component required for a fire, in addition to heat and fuel, is c) Oxygen. Oxygen is essential for the oxidation process in combustion reactions where hydrocarbons react with oxygen to release heat, carbon dioxide, and water.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fires require three components to ignite and sustain combustion: heat, fuel, and oxygen. The correct answer to the question is c) Oxygen.
Combustion reactions typically involve the reaction of a hydrocarbon, which is a substance containing carbon and hydrogen, with oxygen resulting in carbon dioxide, water, and the release of a significant amount of heat energy.
For example, propane which is a gaseous hydrocarbon used as fuel, burns in the presence of oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water vapor. This process, known as oxidation, requires a minimum oxygen content, typically around 16 percent to happen effectively.