Page 67 - ScienceStd4

Activity 1

1. Use library or reliable online sources to identify the
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
necessary conditions for combustion.

2. Describe any daily combustion events you have witnessed
relating to what you have searched in (a).

Necessary conditions for combustion

For combustion to occur, three components are needed: heat,
oxygen gas and fuel.

Heat

Heat increases the temperature of the fuel. For combustion to
begin, sufficient heat must ignite the fuel. A spark, a flame or
another heat source can cause this heat.

Oxygen

Oxygen is the gas required for combustion. It is available in the
air. Without oxygen, combustion cannot take place.

Fuel

Fuel can be solid, liquid or
gaseous. Examples of fuel include
wood, charcoal, gas, oil or other
materials that can catch fire and

burn. The relationship between
oxygen gas, heat and fuel forms
the fire triangle, as shown in Figure
1. If any of these components is

missing, combustion cannot occur.
Figure 1: Fire triangle

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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY STD 4.indd 60 14/01/2025 18:38