Question

How does water help in extinguishing fire?

• A. Water cools the combustible material so that its temperature is brought below the ignition temperature
• B. The water heats the combustible material so that its temperature is brought below the ignition temperature
• C. Water cools the combustible material so that its temperature is brought above the ignition temperature
• D. None of these

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Water cools the combustible material so that its temperature is brought below the ignition temperature

Reason for using water in extinguishing the fire

• Water is used as a fire extinguisher.
• Because water helps in cooling the combustible material.
• By this, the temperature comes down to the ignition temperature.
• When the temperature is less than the ignition temperature the fuel cannot be ignited anymore.
• This prevents the fire from spreading further.
• Also, the water vapor formed due to the heat of fire helps in extinguishing fire by cutting the supply of air.
• As the supply of air is cut down due to the water vapor formed, the fire gets extinguished due to the absence of air because air is a supporter of combustion.

Hence, water helps in extinguishing fire as water helps in cooling the combustible material so that its temperature is brought below the ignition temperature.