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> Lithium fires do not require oxygen I thought fire is by definition a combustion reaction, meaning some kind of material reacting with oxygen. What's fire, t
by viewer5 11y ago
> Lithium fires do not require oxygen
I thought fire is by definition a combustion reaction, meaning some kind of material reacting with oxygen. What's fire, then? (I feel like a little kid, having to ask that...)
- TeMPOraL 11y agoSome substances bundle together their oxygen source (think of rocket fuel, or napalm), so they don't need to consume it from air.
- tedunangst 11y agoGenerally, a fast exothermic reaction. Oxygen may be the most popular oxidant, but not the only one. Lots of stuff burns in pure chlorine gas, for instance.
- CamperBob2 11y agoIt's possible for something to burn hot enough to split water molecules apart. I don't know if lithium metal qualifies, but that could be what the MSDS is referring to.