eli5 – would a flammable substance still ignite if heated by a source that isn’t fire?

Question

I feel like it should, but if not, why?

In: 0

Answer 1

Yes, it would, as long as the flammable substance was in air or oxygen. All that is necessary (ELI5) is that the substance reaches a sufficient temperature. The source of the energy to get to the temperature does not matter.

In fact, most modern detonators for explosives use electricity to heat a wire that sets off the explosive.