Why can't liquid gasoline burn?

Answer 1

In a liquid form there is not enough oxygen to support combustion. Thats why engines have to mix air with gas. On a cold day you can drop a lit cigarette into a puddle of gas and it wont ignite. Try it on a hot day......

Answer 2

Its actually the gasoline vapors that mix with air and burn. The liquid "never" burns. Because gasoline is volatile, there is always some vapors present and the fuel can be ignited. As mentioned above, on a cold day there are less vapors, but none the less, it is the gas phase that undergoes combustion