Essay: Rekindling of Magnesium Fire upon Contact with Water

Sample Essay

Words 987

Magnesium fires cannot be extinguished by water, this is because in the presence of heat, magnesium reacts with the water to form Magnesium Oxide and elemental Hydrogen, causing an explosion as the hydrogen ignites. This is why Magnesium fires have to be extinguished using dry powder. The dry powder smothers the Magnesium and removes its contact with air and the oxygen in the air thus putting out the fire.

Mg+H2OèMgO + H2

2H2+O2è2H2O

The partial burning of the Magnesium in the fire leaves behind a residue containing a mixture of Magnesium Oxide (MgO) and Magnesium. Magnesium in its elemental form reacts slowly at room temperature with water releasing hydrogen gas, however in the presence of heat, this reaction is quickened. The reaction of Magnesium Oxide (MgO) with water may release some heat which ignites the escaping hydrogen and thus set the metal in the metal and ash mixture on fire.

MgO + H2Oè Mg (OH)2 + heat

Mg+H2OèMgO + H2

2H2+O2è2H2O

 

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