From:	Robert Watkins robert.watkins@******.com
Subject:	People from another world
Date:	Mon, 22 Mar 1999 08:58:44 +1000

> > While we're at it, oxygen is NOT required for something to
> "burn". Other
> > elements and compounds can do as well. Flourine, nitrogen and
> methane all
> > come to mind.
>
> Erm... I was always told that the _definition_ of burning something is to
> have it react with oxygen.

Depends on what you mean... the definition of combustion involves a reaction
with oxygen. There are other reactions that would produce light, heat,
noise, flame, etc, that would not necessarily involve oxygen. Most people
would classify them as "burning".

--
.sig deleted to conserve electrons. robert.watkins@******.com