I started oil painting again recently. I was quickly reminded that the mediums we use, odorless spirit minerals, etc., can SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUST into flames.
HOW is this possible? Something about oxygen?? I was trying to sleep and was scared that my whole house was gonna catch on fire. So that was cool.
In: Chemistry
Volatile compounds like those in oil painting are called hydrocarbons. When left unattended, they slowly undergo the process called *oxidation.* This is essentially the loss of electrons of a given substance. This often results in the breaking of chemical bonds, a process which releases heat. If that heat is unable to dissipate, it can cause the substance in question to light on fire.
This is possible when these substances are in close contact with a very combustible substance (oily rags are a decent example of this).
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