How Things Work on Instagram: "A magnesium fire reacts violently with water because the metal is hot enough to split water molecules apart. When burning magnesium reaches around 3,000°C, it strips oxygen from water and leaves hydrogen gas behind. That hydrogen ignites instantly in the heat of the fire, creating a burst of flame and even hotter combustion. Instead of cooling the fire, water becomes fuel, making the reaction flare brighter and more explosive. This is why magnesium fires are never

How Things Work on Instagram: "A magnesium fire reacts violently with water because burning magnesium is hot enough to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. The oxygen feeds the fire, while the hydrogen ignites instantly, causing flare-ups or explosions instead of cooling. Magnesium burns at temperatures above 3,000°C, far hotter than water can suppress. Pouring water adds fuel, not suppression. These fires are extinguished by cutting off oxygen using dry sand or Class D fire extinguis