______________ are small, solid, powdery particles that extinguish the flame by covering the protected area of a fire.

Dry chemical extinguishing agents consist of small, solid, powdery particles that work effectively to extinguish flames by coating the fuel surface, thus interrupting the chemical reaction that sustains the fire. These agents are designed to smother the fire and prevent re-ignition by creating a barrier between the fuel and the oxygen in the air.

In contrast, foam extinguishing agents primarily work by forming a blanket over the fire to exclude air and reduce flammable vapors, water-based agents use their cooling properties and can address heat and the combustion process differently, while gas extinguishing agents operate by displacing oxygen or reacting chemically with the combustion process rather than by covering the surface of the fuel. This unique mechanism of action is what makes dry chemical agents particularly effective in a variety of fire situations.