Hello, I'm Kimi, a specialist in the field of chemistry and materials science. I'm here to provide you with a detailed explanation regarding the flammability of pure oxygen.

Oxygen is a highly reactive element and is essential for combustion. However, it is important to clarify that oxygen itself is not flammable.
Flammability refers to the property of a substance to burn or ignite, causing fire or flames.
Combustion is a chemical reaction that occurs between a fuel and an oxidizer, which produces heat and light in the form of a flame. Oxygen acts as an oxidizer in this process, not as a fuel.

The myth that oxygen is flammable likely stems from its role in supporting combustion. In a typical combustion reaction, oxygen reacts with a fuel, such as wood, gasoline, or natural gas, to produce carbon dioxide and water, along with the release of energy. The energy released is what we perceive as heat and light. Without oxygen, combustion cannot occur because there is no oxidizer to accept electrons from the fuel.

In high concentrations, oxygen can indeed make combustion more intense. This is because it provides a greater supply of oxygen molecules to react with the fuel, leading to a more vigorous reaction. This is why oxygen is used in medical settings, such as during surgeries, to support patients who may have difficulty breathing. However, the increased concentration of oxygen also means that any ignition source could lead to a rapid and intense fire.

It's also worth noting that oxygen can cause materials to ignite at lower temperatures than they would in normal air. This is known as the autoignition temperature. The autoignition temperature is the lowest temperature at which a substance will ignite without an external ignition source. In an oxygen-rich environment, this temperature can be significantly lower, making ignition more likely.

Furthermore, the presence of oxygen can also affect the flame temperature. The flame temperature is the temperature at which a flame burns. In an oxygen-rich environment, the flame temperature can be higher, leading to hotter and faster burning.

In summary, while oxygen is not flammable, it plays a crucial role in the combustion process. It is the oxidizer that reacts with the fuel to produce heat and light. High concentrations of oxygen can lead to more intense combustion and can lower the autoignition temperature of materials, making them more likely to ignite. However, it is the fuel that is flammable, not the oxygen.

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Chemistry 101: Oxygen is not flammable. High concentrations of oxygen used during surgeries are a potential fire hazard for patients, but that doesn't mean the O2 gas itself catches fire. ... Oxygen makes other things ignite at a lower temperature, and burn hotter and faster. But oxygen itself does not catch fire.--Jul 15, 2014read more >>