flash point
Volatility's exact moment
Flash point has both a technical and figurative meaning.
In chemistry, it's the lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapor to ignite in air: Gasoline has a flash point of about -45°F.
Figuratively, a flash point is a moment or situation where tension erupts into conflict: The arrest became a flash point for protests across the city.
Progressive increase in intensity
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- showdownDecisive final confrontation
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- brinkmanshipPushing conflicts to disaster's threshold
boiling over · powder keg · tinderbox · precipice · meltdown · watershed moment · critical mass · eruption
Spontaneous combustion from heat
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
- flammabilityEase of catching fire
- flashoverSudden total combustion event
- spontaneous combustionCatching fire independently
pyrolysis · oxidation · calorimetry · enthalpy · exothermic · thermometer · fire hazard · ignition source
Prone to ignition
- explosiveProne to sudden detonation
- vaporsGaseous exhalations
- evaporationLiquid turning to gas
- inflammableAble to catch fire
gasoline · ether · acetone · solvent · propane · hydrocarbons · reactivity · peroxide
Resistance between touching surfaces
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- antagonismActive opposition or hostility
- simmeringCooking below boiling point
edginess · agitation · discord · contention · buildup · pressure cooker · hair-trigger · social unrest
Critical boundary point
- cuspPoint of transition
- critical junctureDecisive moment requiring action
- demarcationFormal boundary setting
- activation energyMinimum energy for transformation
escalation
Progressive increase in intensity
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- showdownDecisive final confrontation
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
brinkmanship · boiling over · powder keg · tinderbox · precipice · meltdown · watershed moment · critical mass · eruption · explosion
autoignition
Spontaneous combustion from heat
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
- flammabilityEase of catching fire
- flashoverSudden total combustion event
spontaneous combustion · pyrolysis · oxidation · calorimetry · enthalpy · exothermic · thermometer · fire hazard · ignition source · combustible
flammable
Prone to ignition
- explosiveProne to sudden detonation
- vaporsGaseous exhalations
- evaporationLiquid turning to gas
inflammable · gasoline · ether · acetone · solvent · propane · hydrocarbons · reactivity · peroxide · benzene
friction
Resistance between touching surfaces
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- animosityActive, bitter hostility
- antagonismActive opposition or hostility
simmering · edginess · agitation · discord · contention · buildup · pressure cooker · hair-trigger · social unrest
brink
Critical boundary point
- cuspPoint of transition
- critical junctureDecisive moment requiring action
- demarcationFormal boundary setting
- temperaturehot, cold, warm, cool, freezing
- limitslimit, limits, limitation, upper limit, lower limit
- combustionburning, flames, fire triangle, ignition source, oxygen
- candlemakingcandle wax, beeswax, soy wax, paraffin wax, wick
- hazmathazmat suit, hazmat, hazardous materials, biohazard, dangerous goods
- lubricantslubricant, lubricants, lubrication, grease, motor oil
flash pointstability
Resistance to displacement
equilibrium · stasis · inertness · dormancy · quiescence
flash pointdétente
Easing of strained relations
de-escalation · resolution · cooling-off period · reconciliation · peace