Fire

Aims

Pupils should gain an understanding of:

• How some elements combine through chemical reactions to form compounds e.g. carbon dioxide;
• How to represent chemical reactions by word equations;
• The different types of reaction, including oxidation and thermal decomposition;
• Chemical reactions that are generally not useful;
• Energy transfers which accompany chemical reactions (including the burning of fuels) can be controlled and used;
• The possible effects of burning fossil fuels on the environment.
• The fact that when things burn they combine with oxygen;
• Burning as an example of an oxidation reaction;
• The requirements to start a fire – fuel, oxygen and a source of heat;
• The requirements to put out a fire – removal of one of the above three things;
• When fuels burn they give out heat energy – some give out more than others;
• Burning fuels can produce gases which are harmful to the environment.