Everyone has probably thought about something randomly bursting into flames. Don you think it exists?
2006-08-22 06:49:51 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spontaneous_combustion
There are a number of places throughout the world where coal deposits near the surface are on fire, sometimes caused by man's activities but perhaps some by natural geological changes bringing a susceptible coal to the surface.
One interesting experiment is to pour some glycerin onto potassium permanganate crystals. After a few minutes it bursts into flame.
Some oils have autoignition temperatures of less than 550C and if present on hot surfaces will burst into flames.
Ignition caused by static electricity (flammable gases) or by friction may seem random as with lightening or broken glass focusing the sun's rays.
2006-08-22 07:25:36 · answer #1 · answered by Robert A 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does but not in humans. If you put wet hay in a barn they drying affect causes heat and the bails will burst into flames. But that is the only thing I can think of as an example.
2006-08-22 06:57:57 · answer #2 · answered by bildymooner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
excuse me, my foot just caught on fire for no apparent reason and i have to put it out.
2006-08-22 06:57:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
people just explode.
natural causes.
2006-08-22 06:54:18 · answer #4 · answered by Zippy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋