What term describes the ability of a liquid to generate a sufficient concentration of combustible vapors to be ignited?

The correct term describing the ability of a liquid to generate a sufficient concentration of combustible vapors to be ignited is flammability. Flammability specifically refers to how readily a substance can ignite and sustain combustion when exposed to an ignition source. It focuses on the vapor produced by the liquid, which needs to be present in a sufficient concentration to form a combustible mixture with air and support combustion.

Understanding this term is essential in various safety applications, particularly in environments where the risk of fire is significant. It emphasizes the importance of managing liquid substances properly to prevent the release of sufficient vapors into the atmosphere that could lead to ignition and subsequent fire hazards. Other related terms like volatility, combustibility, and ignitability have distinct definitions, but flammability directly addresses the criteria needed for ignition pertaining to combustible vapors.