UNDERSTAND AIR COMBUSTION, RUSTING AND FIRE FIGHTING

AIR COMBUSTION, RUSTING AND FIRE FIGHTING

AIR

This is a homogeneous colorless mixture of different gases in the atmosphere.

    Composition of gases in air

             The gases include: oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and noble gas. Air contains water vapor and dust particles. However, they are not usually considered part of air.

The table below shows the percentage composition of gases.

Gas	% composition
Nitrogen	78%
Oxygen	21%
Noble gases	0.94%
Carbon dioxide	0.03%
Water vapor	0-4%

NB:The percentage composition of water vapor is generally caused by;
                                                                                                        •Weather

                                                                                                        •Geographical location

Test for gases in air.

    -It is possible to test for the presence of some of the gases that are found in air.

Carbon dioxide test

    -Lime water on the watch glass turns milky after a few days when left exposed. The conversion of the lime water from colourless to milky color indicates that there is carbondioxide present in the air.

Oxygen test

    - It relights a glowing splint i.e when oxygen is collected in a gas jar and a piece of wood that has been lighted with fire is also placed within the jar, its going to be relighted because oxygen supports burning. Or copper turns to black on heating because it reacts with oxygen.

Water

    -White anhydrous copper (ii) sulphate on watch glass turns blue when left exposed.This is due the presence of water in air.

Combustion

    -This is a chemical reaction that involves the burning of a substance in the presence of oxygen then produces energy and light.

Combustible
    -Is a material that catch fire and burn easily, combustion takes place in the open place such as fire or in a closed system such as a car engine.

Application of combustion in real life

Areas where combustion is applied;

Area	Application
Industries	In  engines In large boats Incinerators for burning waste
Domestic	Cooking Heating Burning
Laboratory	Sterilization during experiment.

FIRE FIGHTING

Fire - is the process in which ignited material combine with oxygen to give light, heat and a flame.

Fire fighting - is the extinguishing of harmful fire.

Classification of fire

Fire can be classified according to the types of materials burning hence each type of fire will need appropriate fighting technique and equipment.

The table below shows classification of fires and the appropriate extinguishers

Components needed to start fire

For a fire to burn the following components are required in suitable proportions;

1. Source of ignition heat
2. Air (oxygen)
3. Fuel

-The above three components are called fire triangles. If any of them is missing no fire will continue burning.

NB: during the fire fighting at least one component is eliminated to cut off the fire especially air.
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FIRE EXTINGUISHERS;
                               Is an active fire protection device used to extinguisher control small fire often in emergency situation.

                             > Portable fire extinguisher is an extinguisher that can be easily moved from one place to another.

                        
                                              TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

There are four common types of portable fire extinguishers namely:

1. Dry powder extinguishers;

                               Contain fire sodium bicarbonate powder pressurized by nitrogen.Extinguish the fire by separating the fuel from the oxygen element or by  removing the heat element  of the fire triangle. 

2. Foam extinguishers; 

                             Contains proteins and fluoroproteins.extinguisher  fire by taking a way the heat element of the fire triangle .From agents also separate the oxygen element from           the other  element.

3. Water extinguisher;

                               Contain ordinary tap water pressurized air, extinguish fire by taking away the heat element of the fire triangle.

4. Carbon dioxide extinguisher;

                                              Contain  CO₂, a non flammable gas, and are highly pressurized air. Extinguish fire by taking a way the oxygen element of the fire triangle and also be removing the heat  with very cold discharge.

Using fire extinguishes

The fire extinguishers should be used based on the following; "PASS"

1. PULL - The safety pin from the handle. The pin is located at the top of the fire extinguisher. Once removed, it releases the locking mechanism, allowing you to discharge the extinguisher.
2. AIM - The extinguisher nozzle at the base of the fire. As explained this removes the sources or fuel of the fire. Keep yourself low.
3. SQUEEZE - The handle slowly to discharge the agent. Letting go of the handle will stop the discharge, so keep it held down.
4. SWEEP - Sweep side to side over the fire until expended. The sweeping motion helps to extinguish the fire. Stand few meters back from the fire.

                                                    RUSTING

Rust: is the reddish brown oxide of iron formed by the action of moisture and oxygen on the mental surface. It consists mainly of hydrated iron (III) oxide (Fe₂O₃.H₂O) and iron (III) hydroxide (Fe(OH)₃) 
      RUSTING: Is the process in which iron turns into iron oxide    
   Rusting process ; steps are the follows
       (i) Fe →Fe²⁺ + 2e-

         ^{(ii) 2e- +½O}₂ ^+H₂^{O →2OH}

      ^{>The hydroxide ion react with  iron (Fe²+)and more dissolved oxygen to from iron (iii) oxide usually  in hydrated form .
        (III) Fe}₂^{+ + 2OH-→ Fe (OH)} ₂
              ^{2Fe (OH)} ₂ ^+1/2O₂ ^{+ XH2O Fe}₂^O₃^.XH₂^O+2H₂^O

       

This is a chemical process that occurs in iron or steel forming a red brown coating on the metal.

Conditions for rusting

There are three conditions necessary for rusting and these are;

1. Iron steel
2. Water moisture
3. Air oxygen

Methods of preventing rusting

•Painting-Is the coating of items with a special pigment point that are made of iron and usually painted to make the last long.

•Oiling-Is the coating of iron with oil .Some machine parts cannot be protected with painting so they use oil.

•Tin plating- Is the coating of iron with tin. Tin cans are actually of steel, but inside of them can be coated with a thin layer of tin to make them suitable for carrying foods.

•Galvanization- Is the coating of iron or steel with zinc.

•Use of silica gel- This is a substance in the form of grate to absorb moisture in a small bag of silica gel is put inside carrying the instrument so as to absorb at moisture  that may be there.

•Use of plastics - Parts of some machines or instruments are coated with plastic to ensure that they do not rust.


       
                                  REVIEW QUESTION

        1. Define the following
                                   
                                   a/ (i) Rusting
                                       (ii) Rust
                                       (iii) Air
                                       (iv) Combustion
                                       (v) Fire
                                       (vi) Fire fighting

                                  b/ Mention the components of air and their percentage

       2.(a) Mention classes of fire ,their burning materials and appropriate fire extinguisher.
 
          (b) What are the components needed to start fire .
       
          (c) What are the conditions necessary for ion to rust.

      3.(a) Classify the types of extinguisher according to the chemical they contain.

         (b) Explain with equation  how rusting occur .
        
         (c) Mention the methods of preventing rusting.

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