Quick question in chemistry. I'm developing a magic spell that's used frequently by a mage character called Carbon Ignition, in which he snaps his fingers and instantly ignites carbon based entities. Does everything made of carbon burn?
I think you should get some basics about carbon down if carbon plays such a key role for your character. These might be useful places to start: The Carbon Cycle Carbon Chemistry - Combustion Carbon Cycle - Combustion
Diamond is made of carbon and does not burn (under normal circumstances). I could be wrong here, but I think pretty much anything solid can be made to burn under special conditions (sufficiently high heat, oxygen, appropriate pressure). I think that you are safe in assuming that under normal conditions the great majority of carbon compounds as solid form will burn. But of course, there will be exceptions.... A lot of things will melt rather than burn though due to heat.
