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applied science - unit 25 B- chemistry - distinction level
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Chemistry reportThere are 3 causes of fire
Accidental fire: An accidental fire is a fire that is not intentionally set, but rather is the result
of some kind of accident or mistake. There are many different things that can cause an
accidental fire, including cooking appliances, electrical issues, and smoking. Cooking
appliances are a common cause of accidental fires. For example, a person may leave the
stove on and forget to turn it off, or they may forget something they are cooking in the
oven. Electrical issues can also lead to accidental fires, such as faulty wiring or an
overloaded electrical outlet. Smoking is another common cause of accidental fires, as a lit
cigarette or cigar can easily start a fire if it is not properly extinguished. Accidental fires can
be particularly dangerous because they can happen at any time and in any place. For
example, an accidental fire can start in the kitchen while someone is cooking, or it can start
in a bedroom due to an electrical issue. This means that it is important for people to take
precautions to prevent accidental fires from occurring.
Analyses of accidental fire affect fire behaviour
the limited amount of oxygen in an enclosed space and the presence of smoke and other
toxic substances can create a backdraft when air is suddenly introduced into a fire that has
used up most of the available oxygen in a space or structure. Flashover, in which every
flammable surface in a confined space ignites simultaneously due to thermal radiation, can
also occur. These types of fires can ignite and burn quickly when they come into contact
with air, creating overpressure, and the flame becomes less visible when the oxygen level
falls.
,Natural fire: A natural fire refers to a fire that is caused by natural elements such as lightning
strikes, spontaneous combustion, volcanic eruptions, or friction. These types of fires are
typically associated with wildland environments such as forests, grasslands, and wetlands,
but they can also occur in other types of natural environments such as deserts, tundra, and
savannas. They occur when the right combination of heat, fuel, and oxygen are present, and
are influenced by a variety of factors such as weather, topography, and the type of
vegetation present. One of the most common causes of natural fires is lightning. During a
thunderstorm, lightning strikes can ignite dry brush, trees, or grass. These fires can spread
quickly through a forest, burning through the underbrush and potentially reaching the
treetops. Lightning-caused fires are typically more intense than fires caused by other natural
factors, and are more difficult to contain.
Analyses of natural fire effect on fire behaviour
Natural fires can have a significant impact on how a fire behaves, depending on the
environment where they occur. In a forest, for example, a natural fire can spread quickly
through the trees and underbrush, creating a large and intense fire. The fire can quickly
become too large for firefighters to contain, and it can burn for days or even weeks. The
heat generated by a natural fire in a forest can cause a phenomenon called a "crown fire"
which occurs when the fire spreads from the forest floor to the treetops. This is extremely
dangerous for firefighters and can lead to the loss of entire stands of trees. In contrast, in a
grassland or savanna natural fires tend to be less intense, and burn more slowly, but they
can still spread over a wide area. These fires are typically characterized by long flames and a
lot of smoke. The heat generated by this type of fire can cause a phenomenon called a
"ground fire" which occurs when the fire burns through the grass, moss, or brush at the
surface, often following the continuity of the fuels or the topography, which could also
affect how fire behave.
Forest fires may not be discovered for several hours or even days after they start, at which
point they may have already grown to a large size and are difficult to control and the dry
environment in which forest fires often start means there is a large amount of fire fuel
available, and the lack of humidity can exacerbate the fire. Wind can affect the direction and
spread of a fire. If there is a strong wind, it can blow embers and sparks to nearby areas,
causing the fire to spread. Topography: The terrain and landscape in which a fire is burning
can also affect its behaviour. For example, a fire that is burning on a slope may spread more
quickly than one that is burning on flat ground. Weather: The weather can also affect a fire's
behavior. Hot, dry conditions can make a fire more intense and harder to control, while wet
or humid conditions can help to suppress a fire.
, Deliberate fire: Deliberate fire is a term that refers to the intentional setting of a fire, as
opposed to an accidental or natural fire. This can include things like arson (the illegal setting
of a fire), controlled burns (the intentional setting of a fire for land management or other
purposes), and even fireworks displays. In all cases, deliberate fire refers to a fire that is set
on purpose, rather than as the result of an accident or natural event.
Analysis on how deliberate fire affect fire behaviour
Intentional fires are usually limited to the area where the fuel is located. For example, if
someone pours petrol outside a house and sets it on fire, the fire will only burn in that area,
unless it spreads to another fuel source. Another way in which deliberate fire affects fire
behavior is through the use of accelerants. Accelerants are materials that are used to
increase the intensity and speed of a fire. They can be liquids such as gasoline or other
flammable materials, and can be added to the fire to make it burn more quickly and fiercely.
This can make the fire much more difficult to control, as it will consume more fuel, generate
more heat and smoke, and spread more rapidly. Another way deliberate fire affects
behavior is the weather conditions at the time of the fire. During dry and windy conditions,
a controlled burn may spread out of control while if the conditions are damp and the wind
is calm, the fire may not spread as quickly, making it easier to contain.
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