Is gasoline flammable or is it just the fumes?

Answer 1

Sue, even the site you link us to specifically says that the VAPORS, not the liquid, can be ignited.

To those who would say a car burns liquid gasoline, I have to tell you it's not liquid when the spark ignites it. The only function of carburetors and fuel injection systems is to vaporize the fuel to the best extent possible so burning can take place.

Answer 2

Is Gasoline Flammable

Answer 3

It's the fumes that are flammable. If you were able to get past the fumes and put a match in the gasoline it would go out. The fumes or vapors act as the fuel

Answer 4

I'm with Steve on this one. Consider what combustion is: It is a chemical reaction between a hydrocarbon (gasoline) and oxygen, prompted by heat. Without the oxygen, the gas will not burn. Indeed, Steve would probably tell you that the ideal mix is about 14 parts air to 1 part gasoline in an engine. So the gasoline has to vaporize some and mix with air before it ignites.

Throwing a match in a bucket of gasoline WILL ignite it. The vapors just above the liquid level with catch fire before the match reaches the fluid. The "wives tale" that I heard said that a cigarette will not igniite gasoline, which is probably true since the temperature of the smoldering tobacco at the surface of the cigarette is not usually hot enough. But the flame from a match most certainly is!

Some substances or mixtures of substances will release their own oxygen in sufficient quantity to burn without air, and thus can explode directly from their liquid or solid state. But gasoline is not among them.

Answer 5

Anything that is volatile (able to easily pass from the liquid to the gas phase) is flammable. Gasoline in the liquid form is not flammable, but gaseous it is, because the bonds that hold the hydrocarbons together in the gaseous phase are much weaker than in the liquid phase. That's why if you leave an gas stove leaking gas, and light a match, there will be a very loud and deadly explosion.

Answer 6

Well... to make fire, you 3 ingredients. Oxygen, fuel, and ignition.

an airtight drum full of gasoline will only combust when the oxygen meets the heated gas.

Fumes are always more volatile then solids. Metal, in a particulate form is very flammable, like almost everything else. You ever seen a corn silo blow up?

Answer 7

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is gasoline flammable or is it just the fumes?

Answer 8

Gasonline itself is not flammable. If you threw a match into a pool of gasoline it would not ignite. You need some air to make it light. Thats why the fhumes are dangerous, it's gasoline mixed with air.

Answer 9

Both the liquid and vapor of gasoline are flammable.
For more information, go to the website below.

Answer 10

gasoline flammable fumes