Question

Fire extinguishers contain:
A. conc. ${H_2}S{O_4}$ solution
B. ${H_2}S{O_4}$ and $NaHC{O_3}$ solutions
C. $NaHC{O_3}$ solution
D. $CaC{O_3}$ solution

Answer 1

A Fire extinguisher is a device or instrument used to cut off fire. There are various types of extinguishers used for stopping various types of fire. The fuel for fire is oxygen,

Complete step by step answer:
Fire extinguishers are an instrument which controls fire by stopping it. It is an active fire protection device used carefully to contain fire when it is in control. It cannot be used for out of control fire and requires fire brigade.
Fire extinguishers act to stop or inhibit the process of combustion. Combustion is the process of burning of substance in presence of oxygen. Fire extinguishers stop the oxygen in the air from aiding the fire. For this a gas called carbon dioxide is used in fire extinguishers.
The fire extinguisher is not filled with carbon dioxide, but it is filled with two different components in two different chambers separated by a pin. The two components are dil. ${H_2}S{O_4}$ and $NaHC{O_3}$ solution.
When these two are allowed to react, carbon dioxide is produced which is targeted at the fire source to stop fire. The reaction of the two chemicals used is:
$2NaHC{O_3} + {H_2}S{O_4} \to N{a_2}S{O_4} + 2{H_2}O + 2C{O_2}$
Thus a lot of carbon dioxide is produced which helps in cutting off the oxygen supply in the air. Thus option B is the correct answer, i.e. fire extinguishers contain${H_2}S{O_4}$ and $NaHC{O_3}$ solutions.

Note: Carbon dioxide is heavier than air. It is itself non-combustible gas and does not assist in the combustion process. There are several types of extinguishers used in everyday life. They are named as ABC type and ABCD type. These include water, foam , carbon dioxide, dry power and wet chemicals.