If we breathe out carbon dioxide, how come blowing on a fire fuels it with oxygen?

 When we breathe, the air we take in is a mixture of gases, primarily nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and trace amounts of other gases. The air we inhale contains approximately 21% oxygen, which is crucial for sustaining combustion. As we metabolize oxygen in our bodies, one of the byproducts is carbon dioxide, which we then exhale. While the air we breathe out does have a higher concentration of carbon dioxide compared to the air we inhale, it still contains a significant amount of oxygen—typically around 16%. This means that even when we exhale, there is a substantial quantity of oxygen being released into the surrounding air.


When you blow on a fire, you are essentially directing the air from your lungs onto the flames. This exhaled air, despite having a slightly lower oxygen content than the air we inhale, still provides a valuable source of oxygen for the combustion process. The increase in oxygen helps the fire burn more efficiently by promoting the chemical reactions that sustain the flames. In essence, blowing on a fire introduces a fresh supply of oxygen, which is a crucial component for the fire triangle—fuel, heat, and oxygen—allowing the fire to grow and intensify.


While carbon dioxide is indeed present in our exhaled breath, it's the oxygen content that plays a more significant role in fueling a fire when we blow on it. The act of blowing on a fire primarily influences the availability of oxygen, enhancing the combustion reactions and resulting in a more robust and energetic flame.

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