S3.6.6 For the adult
Burning and fire safety
Why does a candle go out under a jar, and why is water wrong for some fires?
What this chapter teaches
A fire needs fuel, oxygen and heat. Taking away any one puts it out: water takes away heat, a lid or sand takes away oxygen, and switching off the gas takes away fuel. Water must never go on burning oil or an electrical fire. Burning a fuel made of carbon and hydrogen gives carbon dioxide and water.
Three questions to ask
There is no one right wording. Listen for the idea.
- What three things does a fire need?
- Why does a candle go out under a jar?
- What should you do if cooking oil catches fire in a pan?
After the chapter, the learner can
- Name the three things a fire needs: fuel, oxygen and heat
- Explain how each way of putting out a fire works
- Write a word equation for burning a fuel
What they copy into their notebook
A fire needs fuel, oxygen and heat. Take away one and it goes out. Never use water on oil or electrical fires. Fuel + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water.