What can happen to a magnesium fire if water is applied?

When water is applied to a magnesium fire, the fire is accelerated due to the highly reactive nature of magnesium. Magnesium burns at extremely high temperatures and, when water is introduced, it can react with the magnesium to produce hydrogen gas. This gas is flammable and can ignite, often resulting in a larger and more intense fire.

Furthermore, the high temperature of burning magnesium can lead to the decomposition of water, generating steam that can increase the pressure around the fire. This reaction contributes to the potential for rapid and hazardous fire spread, thus making the situation much worse. Understanding the behavior of materials like magnesium in fires is crucial for effective firefighting and safety procedures.