CBSE Class 7 Honeycomb Chapter 8: Fire - Friend and Foe NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 7 PDF

This chapter, 'Fire - Friend and Foe,' delves into the multifaceted nature of fire for Class 7 students. It explores what fire is, understanding it as a chemical reaction that releases heat and light. The solutions cover the essential requirements for fire, such as fuel, oxygen, and heat, and introduce the concept of 'flash point.' Students will learn about the beneficial uses of fire in daily life, including cooking and generating electricity, while also understanding its destructive potential when uncontrolled. The chapter provides practical methods for controlling and extinguishing fires, emphasizing the importance of safety. These NCERT Solutions offer clear explanations and step-by-step answers to help students grasp these concepts thoroughly, aiding in their exam preparation and fostering a responsible understanding of fire.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 7
SubjectHoneycomb
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter8. Fire - Friend and Foe

Chapter summary

Chapter 8, 'Fire - Friend and Foe,' for CBSE Class 7 Honeycomb, focuses on understanding fire. It explains fire as a chemical reaction, its necessary components (fuel, oxygen, heat), and the 'flash point.' The solutions cover both the helpful applications of fire and its dangerous aspects when it becomes uncontrollable. Key learning includes methods to control and extinguish fires, promoting safety awareness. This chapter's solutions are designed to provide clear, concise answers to all textbook questions.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand that fire is a chemical reaction releasing heat and light.
  • Identify the essential conditions required for fire to burn.
  • Define the 'flash point' of a fuel.
  • Recognize the beneficial uses of fire in everyday life.
  • Describe the dangers associated with uncontrolled fire.
  • Explain the methods used to control and extinguish fires.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • What is Fire
  • Chemical Reaction of Fire
  • Heat and Light from Fire
  • Conditions for Fire (Fuel, Oxygen, Heat)
  • Flash Point of Fuel
  • Uses of Fire
  • Dangers of Fire
  • Controlling and Extinguishing Fire

Important topics

  • Definition and Nature of Fire
  • Conditions Necessary for Fire
  • Flash Point
  • Methods to Control Fire
  • Fire Safety

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Questions and Solutions

Comprehension Check - Question 1

Mark the correct answer in each of the following questions.
  1. Early man was frightened of:

(a) lightning and volcanoes.

(b) the damage caused by them.

(c) fire.

Solution: The correct answer is (c) fire. Early humans were initially terrified of fire due to its destructive power and unpredictable nature.

Comprehension Check - Question 2

Mark the correct answer in the following statement.
  1. (a) Fire is energy.
  2. Fire is heat and light.
  3. Fire is the result of a chemical reaction.
Solution: The correct statement is (c) Fire is the result of a chemical reaction. While fire produces heat and light (energy), its fundamental nature is a chemical process.

Comprehension Check - Question 3

From the boxes given below choose the one with the correct order of the following sentences to explain what happens when fire is produced.
  1. That is fire.
  2. A chemical reaction takes place.
  3. Energy in the form of heat and light is released.
  4. Oxygen combines with carbon and hydrogen.

Possible orders:

(i) (ii) (iii)

(ii) (iii) (iv)

(iv) (iii) (ii) (i)

Solution: The correct order is (iv) (iii) (ii) (i). The process begins when oxygen combines with substances like carbon and hydrogen (iv). This leads to a chemical reaction (ii), which in turn releases energy as heat and light (iii), defining what fire is (i).

Working with the Text - Question 1

What do you understand by the 'flash point' of a fuel?
Solution: The 'flash point' of a fuel is the lowest temperature at which the fuel starts to burn when exposed to an ignition source in the presence of air.

Working with the Text - Question 2

(i) What are some common uses of fire?

(ii) In what sense is it a "bad master"?

Solution:
  1. Some common uses of fire include cooking food, providing warmth in cold weather, generating electricity in power plants, and in various industrial processes.
  2. Fire is considered a "bad master" when it gets out of control. In such situations, it can cause immense destruction by burning houses, forests, and other properties. It can also lead to severe injuries or loss of life.

Working with the Text - Question 3

Match the items in Column A with those in Column B.

Column A

  • fuel
  • oxygen
  • heat

Column B

  • air
  • lighted matchstick, burning coal, smouldering paper, cooking gas
  • coal, wood, cooking gas
Solution:

The correct matches are:

  • fuel - coal, wood, cooking gas
  • oxygen - air
  • heat - lighted matchstick, burning coal, smouldering paper

Note: The original source listed 'cooking gas' under heat, but it is a fuel. 'Smouldering paper' also relates to burning, hence heat. 'Lighted matchstick' and 'burning coal' provide the initial heat to start combustion. Air provides oxygen.

Working with the Text - Question 4

What are the three main ways in which a fire can be controlled or put out?
Solution: The three main ways to control or extinguish a fire are:
  1. Removing the fuel: By taking away the material that is burning, the fire has nothing to consume and will stop.
  2. Cutting off the oxygen supply: Preventing air (which contains oxygen) from reaching the fire will extinguish it. This can be done by covering the fire.
  3. Lowering the temperature: Cooling the fuel below its 'flash point' stops the burning process. Water is commonly used for this purpose as it absorbs heat.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the conditions necessary for fire with its products.
  • Not clearly distinguishing between fire as a 'friend' and a 'foe'.
  • Incomplete understanding of how to control or extinguish different types of fires.

Revision tips

  • Review the definition of fire and its chemical nature.
  • Memorize the three conditions required for fire and the methods to control it.
  • Understand the concept of 'flash point' and its significance.
  • List examples of fire's uses and its dangers to reinforce learning.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is fire fundamentally?

Q2. Which of the following is NOT a condition necessary for fire?

Q3. What is the 'flash point' of a fuel?

Q4. When is fire considered a 'bad master'?

Q5. Which of these is a method to control fire?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main concept covered in CBSE Class 7 Honeycomb Chapter 8?

Chapter 8, 'Fire - Friend and Foe,' explains what fire is, its uses, its dangers, and how to control it. It covers fire as a chemical reaction and the conditions needed for it to burn.

What does 'flash point' mean in relation to fire?

The 'flash point' is the specific, lowest temperature at which a fuel can ignite and start burning when exposed to air.

How can fire be controlled or put out?

Fire can be controlled by removing its fuel, preventing oxygen from reaching it, or by lowering its temperature below the flash point.

Why is fire called both a 'friend' and a 'foe'?

Fire is a 'friend' because it is useful for cooking, warmth, and electricity. It is a 'foe' when it gets out of control, causing destruction and harm.

Are these solutions helpful for exam preparation?

Yes, these NCERT Solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to all questions in Chapter 8, helping students understand the concepts thoroughly for their exams.

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