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Energy and Combustion

Context

Understanding the rate of ignition and combustion of common household items helps make safer spaces. Inorganic building materials have a different rate of ignition than organic or synthetic items. Furniture made of wood will be a different kind of fuel source than furniture made of foam plastic or synthetic upholstery.

Questions

  • What is heat release rate and how is it measured?

Problem to be solved

  • When fire investigators know how different fuels ignite and combust, they can better understand a burn scene and can build stronger claims based on a knowledge of types of evidence and patterns of fuels.

Be sure to explore the student guide and teacher guide that support this investigation.

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The Science of Fire Forensics
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