What may occur if water is added to a burning liquid that is less dense than water?

• A. The burning liquid will dissolve completely in water, stopping the fire.
• B. The burning liquid will sink below the water and the fire will be smothered.
• C. The burning liquid will float on top of the water and may spread the fire.
• D. The water will extinguish the fire immediately by covering the burning liquid.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the physical properties involved: the burning liquid is less dense than water, meaning it will float on top of water rather than mix or sink.
2. Recall that when a liquid is burning, the fire is sustained by the vapor of the flammable liquid in contact with oxygen.
3. Consider what happens when water is added to the burning liquid: since the burning liquid floats, it will remain on top of the water layer.
4. Because the burning liquid floats, adding water can cause the burning liquid to spread over a larger surface area, potentially spreading the fire rather than extinguishing it.
5. Conclude that adding water to a burning liquid less dense than water is dangerous because the fire may spread instead of being smothered or extinguished.