Eli5: What makes the flammable gasses to be flammable?
In: Chemistry
Let’s use a simple one for an example-Hydrogen.
Hydrogen has one proton and one electron, the simplest atom. That one electron is in an energy level that is more stable with 2 electrons. That means that, with enough energy being put in it will form a bond with another atom that has room for it. Oxygen is one such atom, it has space for 2 electrons in its outer shell (8 is stable for all orbitals except the lowest). The hydrogens snap to the oxygen, releasing energy as they react to form water.
The same is true for all flammable materials, just more complex. They are more stable after reacting with oxygen, and with enough activation energy they will do so, releasing enough energy to cause a chain reaction.
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