2006-08-31 17:48:26 · 12 answers · asked by RKC 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
I believe they are worried the signal could set off a spark and start a fire...most things that are banned at gas stations are because of risk of fire - so somehow that makes sense to me.
2006-08-31 17:50:35 · answer #1 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A mobile phone is a wireless transmittal device. All wireless devices, whenever they are switched on sends and receives radio waves, in this case the communication data packets to the nearest towers.
There is an outside possibility that these waves may interfer and may cause a spontaneous combustion. this could happen at any time and place. The precaution in petro pumps is only to prevent the fire from spreading.
So far [I Think] there has been only a few instances of spontaneous combustion of mobile phones.
2006-08-31 17:58:18 · answer #2 · answered by VEDIO LAND 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Seriously, that is because of paranoid people who seem to have this vain idea that cell phones give off static electricity, and the intensity of that static that is given off is enough to ignite gas. This is simply not true. Cell phones are designed to simply send and receive data from satellites and transmission towers, and convert that into an electromagnetic force used to make sound to the earpiece. You would create exponentially more static walking over to the pump than to have a phone operating. There is no documented cases of anything happening with someone being on a phone and pumping gas. If there was, then it'd be that the person was distracted by their call and dropped their cigarette into the gas.
2006-08-31 17:54:31 · answer #3 · answered by Matt 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When the mobile phone is on it is ready to receive the signal sent by the mobile service towers. It starts ringing when any signal is received. At this time as well as when its button 'OK' is pressed to connect to the far end while ringing there is a possibility of a spark inside the set. At petrol pumps vaporised petrol is present particularly in hot weather in such a concentration that the spark could cause a fire. To prevent such possible accidents mobile phones are asked to be switched off at petrol pumps.
2006-08-31 23:11:01 · answer #4 · answered by ars32 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Look a pertorl and petroleum products are highly inflammable even at low ambient conditions.And in Petrol Fill Stations there will be vapours in enriched form. A cell phone is a source of fire due to its Static Potential which is desipated to the atmosphere and with air as media for fire can cause fire hazard.
2006-08-31 18:13:19 · answer #5 · answered by Mechie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes the phone can send a small current and boom will be the end result. It can be very deadly. Take percautions when filling up with gas, it isn't the fuel itself, it's the gas fumes that are the problem.
2006-08-31 17:55:13 · answer #6 · answered by teddybearloverus 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I read in Readers Digest it was the spark thing. They found though that getting in and out of cloth seats wearing Cotton poly blend was worse.
Static.
2006-08-31 17:56:43 · answer #7 · answered by robyn o 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think becoz if suddenly a call comes for u, while u r getting u'r vehicle filled then u wont be able to check whether the right amount of fuel has ben filled or not.
2006-08-31 18:50:29 · answer #8 · answered by goldie 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Apparently they can spark a fire...I wouldn't want to take the chance.
2006-08-31 17:50:45 · answer #9 · answered by Zoey 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because when pressed Electromagnetic waves start working which may give spark or explosion in petrol pumps.
2006-09-03 22:40:47 · answer #10 · answered by anupama r 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋