Saponification occurs when soap mixes with what substance to smother flames?

Saponification is a chemical reaction that involves the transformation of fats or oils into soap through the process of hydrolysis. When soap, made from animal fats or vegetable oils, mixes with water, it can create a layer that helps smother flames by forming bubbles that limit the oxygen available to sustain combustion.

Choosing animal fat as the correct answer is fitting since saponification itself originates from fats or oils. In a fire control context, soap can be effective because it can encapsulate the fuel and create a barrier to both heat and oxygen, elements critical for a fire to continue burning. This property is particularly useful in fire extinguishing practices, especially in certain fire situations.

The other substances listed—water, oxygen, and wood—don’t facilitate the saponification process in the same way. While water can help to cool down flames, and lack of oxygen will extinguish fire, they do not engage in the specific chemical reaction described by saponification. Additionally, wood, being a combustible material, would only serve to fuel a fire rather than contribute to extinguishing it through the process of saponification. Therefore, understanding the role of animal fat in producing soap and how it aids in fire suppression clarifies why this is the correct answer