why do rags soaked in oil-based chemicals spontaneously catch on fire without being exposed to a flame?

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why do rags soaked in oil-based chemicals spontaneously catch on fire without being exposed to a flame?

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2 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Certain oils will undergo oxidation when exposed to air, this is an exothermic reaction, meaning as it goes along it releases energy. This heat energy can build up in trash cans enough to the point that it reaches the oil’s combustion point 

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