Final answer:
Flammability is the term used to describe a substance's ability to support combustion and is considered a chemical property, as it involves a substance's ability to undergo a specific chemical change when exposed to an ignition source and oxygen.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term used to describe the ability of a substance to support combustion is flammability. This term refers to how easily a substance can ignite and burn. In the context of chemical properties, flammability is the characteristic response of a substance when exposed to an ignition source, such as a spark or flame, and oxygen. Combustion reactions involve the reaction of a substance with oxygen, often producing flame and heat, as exemplified by the combustion of methane in a kitchen stove: CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O + Heat. Flammability is an essential factor in assessing safety and potential hazards of materials.
It's important to distinguish between physical properties of matter, such as melting point, boiling point, and density, which are not associated with a substance's chemical identity changing, versus chemical properties like flammability, which involve a substance's ability to undergo a specific chemical change. Therefore, flammability is a chemical property of matter.