What is the minimum temperature at which an ignitable liquid will give off enough vapors to ignite?

The minimum temperature at which an ignitable liquid will produce enough vapors to potentially ignite is known as the flash point. This is a critical concept in fire science and safety because it indicates the lowest temperature at which vapors can form, creating a flammable mixture with air. When the temperature of a liquid reaches its flash point, and an ignition source is present, those vapors can ignite, potentially leading to a fire or explosion.

The flash point is a key parameter used to classify liquids based on their flammability and to implement safety measures in handling and storage. It's important for firefighters and emergency responders to understand this point in order to assess risks and manage incidents involving flammable liquids safely.

In contrast, the boiling point refers to the temperature at which a liquid turns into vapor, which is typically higher than the flash point. The autoignition temperature is the temperature at which a substance will spontaneously ignite without an external ignition source, while the ignition temperature is the minimum temperature necessary to ignite a substance. While related, these terms describe different phenomena, making flash point the most appropriate answer in this context.