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Question:

layn
layn
Student
High School - 12th Grade

Explain why gasoline can mix with air and not ignite while sitting in the gas tank in your car.

Why does it explode in the piston of the engines when it is touched by a flame?

 

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Posted by layn on Thursday February 5, 2009 at 5:53 PM and tagged with cars, chemistry, gasoline, ignition, pistons.

Answers:

  1. holsa
    holsa Teacher
    High School - 9th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Best answer as selected by question asker.

    Gasoline is very combustible when it meets up with a spark, which is what happens in the engine of a car.  While oxygen is needed to maintain a fire, it does not alone cause gasoline to burn.

    To learn more about combustion, follow the link below.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/uxl-science-encyclopedia/combustion

    Rate answer:

    Posted by holsa on Tuesday February 10, 2009 at 1:47 PM