I am not alive, yet I grow. I have no lungs, yet I need air. I have no mouth, yet water kills me. What am I?

This captivating riddle perfectly describes the fascinating phenomenon of combustion. Although it isn't a living organism, fire certainly appears to "grow" as it consumes fuel, spreading rapidly when conditions are right. This expansion is not biological growth, but rather the rapid oxidation of material, releasing heat and light.

The need for "air" refers to fire's essential requirement for oxygen. Fire is a chemical reaction, specifically rapid oxidation, and oxygen acts as one of the key reactants. Without a continuous supply of oxygen, the combustion process cannot be sustained, and the flames will quickly diminish and die out. This is why smothering a fire, by cutting off its oxygen supply, is an effective way to extinguish it.

Finally, the idea that "water kills me" highlights another fundamental aspect of fire suppression. Water primarily extinguishes fire by cooling the burning material below its ignition temperature. It also creates steam, which can further help to displace oxygen around the fuel. While fire is a powerful force, its reliance on specific conditions for ignition and sustained reaction makes it vulnerable to substances that disrupt those conditions, like water.