What is what state of matter is fire?

Fire is a tricky subject when it comes to states of matter. It's not a solid, liquid, or gas in the traditional sense. Instead, fire is best described as plasma.

Here's why:

• Composition: Fire primarily consists of hot gases, including ionized gas. This ionization leads to free electrons and positively charged ions, a defining characteristic of plasma.
• Light and Heat: The light and heat emitted by fire come from the rapid oxidation process (combustion) and the de-excitation of atoms in the plasma.
• Not a Pure Substance: Fire is a complex mixture, not a single element or compound. Its composition can vary depending on the fuel source and environment.
• Plasma State: The extremely high temperatures involved in fire cause the gas molecules to break apart and become ionized, entering the plasma state. This distinguishes it from a simple hot gas.

While "fire" is a common term, scientifically, it represents a rapid chemical reaction resulting in plasma and other byproducts.