Chapter 9: Problem 41

What is a soda-acid extinguisher? Explain the working process.

Short Answer

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A soda-acid extinguisher is a fire-fighting device that uses a mixture of sodium bicarbonate and sulfuric acid to produce carbon dioxide gas, which then smothers and extinguishes fires by cutting off the oxygen supply. The working process of a soda-acid extinguisher includes activation (breaking a glass ampoule containing acid inside the container), a chemical reaction between the acid and sodium bicarbonate, the formation of carbon dioxide gas, and finally extinguishing the fire by displacing the surrounding oxygen with carbon dioxide gas.

Step by step solution

Introduction to Soda-Acid Extinguisher

A soda-acid extinguisher is a type of fire extinguisher that uses a mixture of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and an acid, typically sulfuric acid, to produce carbon dioxide gas. This gas is then used to smother and extinguish fires by cutting off the oxygen that supports the combustion process. Now, let's break down the working process of a soda-acid extinguisher into a few steps.

Activate the Extinguisher

To activate the extinguisher, the user needs to turn it upside down or strike it on a solid surface. This action causes a glass ampoule containing the acid to break, allowing it to mix with the sodium bicarbonate solution that is stored inside the container.

Chemical Reaction

When the acid mixes with the sodium bicarbonate solution, a chemical reaction takes place. The reaction can be represented by the following equation: NaHCO3 + H2SO4 -> Na2SO4 + H2O + CO2 In this reaction, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) reacts with sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to produce sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), water (H2O), and carbon dioxide gas (CO2).

Formation of CO2 Gas

The reaction between the acid and sodium bicarbonate generates a significant amount of carbon dioxide gas (CO2). The gas is produced rapidly and at high pressure, forcing it out of the extinguisher nozzle.

Extinguishing the Fire

As the carbon dioxide gas is expelled from the extinguisher onto the fire, it displaces the surrounding oxygen and creates an oxygen-poor environment. Since fire requires oxygen to sustain combustion, the lack of oxygen effectively smothers the fire and extinguishes it. In summary, a soda-acid extinguisher uses a chemical reaction between sodium bicarbonate and an acid to generate carbon dioxide gas, which is then used to extinguish fires by cutting off their oxygen supply.

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What is a soda-acid extinguisher? Explain the working process.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Introduction to Soda-Acid Extinguisher

Activate the Extinguisher

Chemical Reaction

Formation of CO2 Gas

Extinguishing the Fire

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