ABSTRACT
The chemistry of fire involves the combining of a combustible material with oxygen, called oxidation. The rusting of iron and steel is an example of a very slow form of oxidation. Extinguishing agents such as foam or carbon dioxide prevent the oxygen from reaching the fire and thus remove the oxygen side of the triangle. Removing the fuel side, such as by shutting off the flow of a flammable gas or liquid, is the third way to extinguish a fire. The surface mode (which includes glowing and deep-seated glowing embers) consists of radiative feedback to sustain ignition. This type of fire does not rely on the chain reaction and can be explained by the fire triangle. Although fire normally involves rapid oxidation of a fuel by oxygen in the air, combustible metals such as magnesium, aluminum, and cadium can “burn” in an atmosphere of pure nitrogen.
