From:	GMPax@***.com GMPax@***.com
Subject:	People from another world
Date:	Sun, 21 Mar 1999 19:08:13 EST

In a message dated 3/21/99 2:42:59 PM Eastern Standard Time, gurth@******.nl
writes:

> According to Slipspeed, at 13:21 on 21 Mar 99, the word on
> the street was...
>
> > 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.

As was I. To burn, something must combust. To combust, it must indergo an
exothermic oxidation.

Other chemical reactions might be exothermic, but it's not "burning" per se,
if we want to be picky. :-) Which seems to be our usual modus operandi,
hereabouts.

Sean
GM Pax