Which of the following can be used to extinguish a fire caused by petrol?
1. Water
2. Sand
3. Carbon dioxide
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Solution
Sand and carbon dioxide can be used to extinguish fire caused by inflammable liquids like petrol.
Sand is a non-combustible substance. When sand is thrown over burning petrol, the sand covers it like a blanket. The sand cuts off the air supply to the burning petrol due to which the fire gets extinguished.
Carbon dioxide, being heavier gas than oxygen, settles at the bottom and covers the burning fuel like a blanket. This cuts off the supply of oxygen to burning petrol due to which the fire gets extinguished.
Water cannot extinguish fire involving oil because water is heavier than oil. So, it sinks below the oil, and oil keeps burning on the top.