A fire in the presence of a higher concentration of oxygen will:

A fire in the presence of a higher concentration of oxygen will:

• A. Burn slower
• B. Not burn
• C. Burn faster
• D. Not be affected

Answer: (C)

More oxygen means more oxidizer in the flame. Combustion is a reaction between fuel and oxygen, and increasing the oxygen concentration makes collisions between fuel and oxygen more frequent. That boosts the rate of the oxidation reactions, raising the flame temperature and the speed at which heat is released, so the flame propagates more quickly. In other words, the fire will burn faster in an environment with a higher oxygen concentration. The other options don’t fit because the extra oxidizer actively accelerates burning rather than slowing it down, stopping it, or leaving it unchanged.

More oxygen means more oxidizer in the flame. Combustion is a reaction between fuel and oxygen, and increasing the oxygen concentration makes collisions between fuel and oxygen more frequent. That boosts the rate of the oxidation reactions, raising the flame temperature and the speed at which heat is released, so the flame propagates more quickly. In other words, the fire will burn faster in an environment with a higher oxygen concentration. The other options don’t fit because the extra oxidizer actively accelerates burning rather than slowing it down, stopping it, or leaving it unchanged.