Molecular combustion is a fictional magic ability in the WB television show Charmed. It is the power to speed up molecules inside a being or object so that they effectively explode.

Piper Halliwell gains this power in Season 3. It is channelled through her hands and she was initially afraid to use any of her powers, unsure whether her targets would freeze or explode. She eventually gains complete control over her abilities, though many upper-level demons are resistant or immune to them. After when she and her sisters discovers that upper-level demons have immunity through her active and physical power, her power over the years increased and her power is more effective against upper-level demons. In season 8, she learns how to reverse the trajectory of incoming projectiles by knocking them backwards with her power. This use of her power is shown in "The Lost Picture Show"

Similar Powers

• Molecular Dispersion - This power is used and displayed by the high-level elder "Gideon". This power is particularly like Molecular Combustion, but the target scatters into little pieces. In Marvel Comics' X-Men, Jean Grey as Phoenix possesses this power, described as "atomising" whereby a person is telekinetically pulled apart at a molecular level.

• Pyrogenesis - This power is used and displayed by many upper-level demons and some advanced witches in the magic community. In the show, it's more specifically known as firestarting. Many upper-level demons such as the The Source possess this advanced power. Wyatt Halliwell and Christy Jenkins also possess this power.

References

• Forget Me...Not (Charmed Episode)

Charmed | Fictional abilities