What does the term "flash point" refer to?

The term "flash point" specifically refers to the lowest temperature at which a liquid can form an ignitable mixture with air. At this temperature, enough vapor is produced by the liquid to create a mixture that can catch fire when exposed to an ignition source, such as a flame or spark. Understanding the flash point is crucial in fire safety and hazard assessment because it helps identify the conditions under which a liquid can pose a fire risk.

This definition distinguishes flash point from other thermal and combustion-related terms. For instance, spontaneous ignition refers to a different phenomenon where a material ignites without an external ignition source when it reaches a certain temperature, while the maximum temperature a liquid can reach without igniting is not the flash point. Flash point is primarily concerned with the ability to form an ignitable mixture, not the prevention of vapor emission.