why does fire burn wood​

Fire burns wood due to a chemical reaction known as combustion. Combustion is a reaction between a combustible material (like wood) and an oxidizing agent (usually oxygen in the air) in the presence of heat. The chemical reaction can be expressed as follows:

Wood + Oxygen + Heat → Carbon Dioxide + Water Vapor + Energy

In the case of wood:

1.Combustible Material: Wood is a complex mixture of organic compounds, primarily composed of cellulose, lignin, and other organic substances.

2.Oxidizing Agent: Oxygen from the air serves as the oxidizing agent. The presence of oxygen is crucial for the combustion process to occur.

3.Heat: A certain amount of heat is required to initiate the combustion reaction. Once the process begins, it becomes self-sustaining if sufficient fuel and oxygen are available.

The combustion of wood involves breaking the chemical bonds within the wood molecules and forming new bonds with oxygen, resulting in the production of carbon dioxide, water vapor, and the release of energy in the form of heat and light.

Cellulose and Lignin in Wood + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water Vapor + Energy

This process is exothermic, meaning it releases energy in the form of heat and light. The energy released sustains the high temperature of the fire, allowing the combustion process to continue.

It's important to note that for combustion to occur, the fire triangle elements must be present: fuel (wood), oxygen, and heat. Removing any of these elements will prevent or extinguish the fire.