how is it that different substances can burn at different temperatures despite all being able to be ignited by the same temp match?
In: Chemistry
The ignition temperature is not the same for different substances. The ignition temperature is basically how big of a “push” different molecules need to start a reaction. The match is just very hot allowing it to light most substances
The temperature at which substances burn depends on various factors. But basically it’s an energy balance. A fire losses heat from various sources like convection and radiation, the higher temperature the more energy loss. A fire gains energy from the combustion of the fuel, the amount of energy from that depends on how much is being burnt, and how much energy is gained from the reaction. How much is being burnt is often limited by how much oxygen is available. The energy from the reaction depends on the fuel you can find that for different fuels by searching “heat of reaction”.
The temperature at which something burns, is the equilibrium where the heat out = heat generated.
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