The answer to the question of why fire is hot is more exciting and complex than it may seem at first glance.
Why fire is hot: An excursion into the world of chemistry
In order for a fire to start, you need oxygen, a suitable fuel (such as wood) and heat or an ignition source. The effect or contact with the ignition source causes a chemical reaction between the fuel and the oxygen.
- During this oxidation process, which is a so-called exothermic reaction from a chemical point of view, energy is released – in the form of light and heat energy. The fact that fire is hot is therefore due to the excess energy that is created during the exothermic reaction.
- That fire is hot for us feelscan also be explained simply: When our skin approaches a fire or even comes into contact with the flames, the heat energy of the fire is transferred into kinetic energy.
- This means that the particles in the skin cells begin to move faster than usual. The receptors in the skin transmit this stimulus information to our brain, which causes the perception of heat and/or pain.