Definitions
- Describing a substance that ignites spontaneously in air or reacts violently with water. - Referring to materials that can cause fires or explosions without an external ignition source. - Talking about chemicals that are highly reactive and can pose a significant safety risk.
- Describing materials that can easily catch fire and burn. - Referring to substances that are highly flammable and can ignite quickly. - Talking about objects that can be set on fire easily.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe materials that can catch fire easily.
- 2Both words refer to substances that can pose a significant safety risk.
- 3Both words are used to warn people of potential danger.
- 4Both words are commonly used in scientific and technical contexts.
- 5Both words are derived from Greek roots.
What is the difference?
- 1Definition: Pyrophoric refers to substances that ignite spontaneously in air or react violently with water, while inflammable refers to materials that can easily catch fire and burn.
- 2Usage: Pyrophoric is typically used in scientific and technical contexts, while inflammable is more commonly used in everyday language.
- 3Safety Risk: Pyrophoric materials are generally considered more dangerous than inflammable materials due to their ability to ignite spontaneously.
- 4Negation: Pyrophoric has a non-pyrophoric counterpart, while inflammable does not have a clear opposite.
Remember this!
While both pyrophoric and inflammable describe materials that can catch fire easily, there are significant differences between the two words. Pyrophoric refers to substances that ignite spontaneously in air or react violently with water, while inflammable refers to materials that can easily catch fire and burn. Pyrophoric is typically used in scientific and technical contexts and is considered more dangerous than inflammable materials. Inflammable is more commonly used in everyday language and does not have a clear opposite.
