Question

What is the chemical formula for fire?

Answer 1

Hint : Fire generates heat and light. It is produced when a substance (like wood) is burnt in the presence of air (oxygen). This process is known as combustion. When the ignition point is reached during combustion, flames (fire) are produced. The chemical reaction that occurs in combustion is highly exothermic in nature.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Fire is not a chemical substance. It is produced during a chemical reaction known as combustion which can be defined as the burning of a substance in presence of air (oxygen). It emits light and heat and hence, it is considered as an exothermic process.
Flames (fire) are produced when the ignition point is reached in the combustion process. Combustion process can take place for solid, liquid or gaseous substances.
Let us take an example of combustion reaction of a fuel and the chemical reaction to produce fire is given as:
$Fuel + oxygen \to C{O_2} + {H_2}O + Heat$
The products of a combustion reaction are carbon dioxide, water and heat energy.
Therefore, we can see that heat is produced and it is an exothermic reaction.
Hence, we can clearly see that fire is not a chemical substance and hence, it does not have any chemical formula.

Note :
If the fuel is not burnt completely in presence of oxygen, it is known as incomplete combustion and the products formed will be carbon dioxide, water, smoke, ash and heat energy. If the fuel is burnt completely and the oxygen supply is sufficient, then it is complete combustion and the products formed are carbon dioxide, water and heat energy.