Eli5: Why do some objects burn while others melt?
In: 6
Burning is a chemical reaction. Thing plus oxygen at sufficient temperature react together, and that reaction releases more heat.
For example, some hydrocarbons (combinations of hydrogen and carbon) will react with oxygen and create CO, CO2, and H2O vapor.
Melting is just a phase change. When ice melts into liquid water, it’s still H2O before and after, just in a different chemical phase.
As for why some burn and some melt, it’s basically whether or not the specific chemical combination will react, and if so, what temperature is required. You could melt wood in theory in a vacuum chamber by removing the oxygen (although because of the structure you would need an insanely high heat).
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