[njgrl2]

ok so i know that oxygen burns....and i know many of the properties of oxygen, but i cant seem to figure out a simple explanation to why it burns. thanks  

~Katie

[Mitch]

It could be because it's simply a good oxidizer?

[UkraineWithAim]

ok so i know that oxygen burns....and i know many of the properties of oxygen, but i cant seem to figure out a simple explanation to why it burns. thanks  

~Katie

As far, as I understand, burning is considered to be a process of oxidation, and if oxygen burns, it gets oxidised. It is very hard to oxidise it though, and the only way is by fluorine:
O2+2F2=2OF2,
which is a slow process.
Other substances, however, burn in Oxygen because it is such a good oxidising agent.