Final answer:
Water is valuable for fire extinguishment due to its high heat-absorbing capacity, ability to change to steam with little energy required, and low coefficient of friction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Water has several properties that make it valuable for fire extinguishment:
- High heat-absorbing capacity: Water has a high specific heat capacity, meaning it takes a lot of heat to raise its temperature. This property makes water effective at absorbing heat from a fire and reducing its temperature.
- Ability to change to steam with little energy required: Water has a high heat of vaporization, which means it requires a significant amount of heat to convert from liquid to steam. This property allows water to absorb large amounts of heat from a fire as it evaporates.
- Low coefficient of friction: Water has a low coefficient of friction, which helps to spread the water effectively over a fire and enhance its extinguishing capabilities.