Hydrogen gas and oxygen - flammable?

[orangeman25]

So it seems like oxygen gas can't be flammable or that would be a huge problem for lets say, someone about to light up a cigarette. What about hydrogen gas? I've gotten contradicting answers from multiple practice tests on the flammability of these gases so I would appreciate any input!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[IlyaR]

H2 is very flammable. The Hindenburg was filled with H2 since it is such a low weight gas

 

[Cmdr_Shepard]

To make something burn, you need an oxidizer, fuel and heat. You need all three or you won't have fire.

Oxygen almost always will be the oxidizer in everyday situations, hydrogen gas is the fuel and a spark or match is the initial heat. Another example is gasoline (carbon chains) in cars. That is the fuel part, oxygen from the air is the oxidizer, and the heat to start is provided by a spark plug (or in the case of diesel fuel, the increase in gas internal energy that accompanies compression).

Oxygen by itself is not fuel, and hydrogen by itself will not burn if there is no oxygen available.