eli5 What causes stuff to be flammable?
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Stored chemical energy, in this case, that can be released through exothermic oxidation.
Basically some chemicals or compounds that are complex, can react with oxygen to form simpler oxygenized compounds (like CO2), and release energy in the process. This process requires input energy, but once you get it started, energy released from molecules nearby can trigger a chain reaction (fire), so long as it has the heat+oxygen+fuel to keep burning.
Stored chemical energy, in this case, that can be released through exothermic oxidation.
Basically some chemicals or compounds that are complex, can react with oxygen to form simpler oxygenized compounds (like CO2), and release energy in the process. This process requires input energy, but once you get it started, energy released from molecules nearby can trigger a chain reaction (fire), so long as it has the heat+oxygen+fuel to keep burning.
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