Can carbon dioxide be used to put out fires?

(flammable liquid and electrical) fires only. Carbon dioxide extinguishes work by displacing oxygen, or taking away the oxygen element of the fire triangle. CO2s may be ineffective at extinguishing Class A fires because they may not be able to displace enough oxygen to successfully put the fire out.

Why carbon dioxide is used as a fire extinguisher?

We use carbon dioxide in fire extinguishers because it displaces or reduces the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere around the fire. By removing the oxygen from the formula and smothering it with discharged CO₂ gas, the fire will be extinguished.

How do you extinguish flames with carbon dioxide?

The carbon dioxide is heavier than air, so it will sit in the bottom of the glass. When you pour the gas from glass onto the candle, you are pouring out the carbon dioxide, which will sink and displace the (oxygen-containing) air surrounding the candle with carbon dioxide. This suffocates the flame and it goes out.

What is carbon dioxide suitable for?

Carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant, in fire extinguishers, for inflating life rafts and life jackets, blasting coal, foaming rubber and plastics, promoting the growth of plants in greenhouses, immobilizing animals before slaughter, and in carbonated beverages.

What happens when you put carbon dioxide to a flame?

Carbon dioxide molecules are heavier than air. Because of this, they push the oxygen and other molecules in the air out of the way as they sink down over the flame and candle. This makes the flame go out.

Which kind of fire is best extinguished by using carbon dioxide?

CO2 fire extinguishers are designed for Class B liquid fires & safe to use on live electrical. Class B fires that can be extinguished with a carbon dioxide extinguisher include flammable liquids and gases, solvents, oil, greases (excluding cooking oils/greases), tars, oil-based paints and lacquers.

What should you not use a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher for?

Dangers: CO2 extinguishers should not be used on fires involving solid materials, such as paper, wood and fabric, and also are not suitable for use on flammable gases.

Which of the following Cannot be used to extinguish the fire caused by electricity?

Water being a good conductor of electricity can cause electric shock to the person trying to put off the fire caused by any electrical appliance. Hence, fire caused by electrical appliances should not be put off using water.

How is carbon dioxide broken down?

The best existing technique to electrochemically break carbon dioxide into pieces that will chemically react uses a catalyst made of platinum. The carbon monoxide is very reactive and a useful precursor for making many kinds of chemicals, including plastics and fuels such as gasoline.

Why is carbon dioxide used in fire extinguishers BBC Bitesize?

Carbon dioxide is denser than air. It sinks, which means that it can smother a fire – starving the fire of oxygen and putting it out. This is why many fire extinguishers contain carbon dioxide gas.

Why is solid carbon dioxide used refrigeration?

Explanation: Solid carbon dioxide is also called as dry ice and is commonly used for refrigeration because of its properties. It exhibits a property called as sublimation. In this process a solid changes to gaseous state when exposed to a particular temperature. For dry ice it is -78.5 Celsius .