114k views
3 votes
Explain why one spark will ignite propane gas and no more sparks are needed for the propane gas to continue burning.

User Artex
by
5.0k points

2 Answers

5 votes

Final answer:

One spark is enough to ignite propane gas because it is a highly flammable fuel with a low ignition temperature. The heat generated from the initial spark sustains the burning of propane.

Step-by-step explanation:

When it comes to igniting propane gas, one spark is enough to start the combustion reaction. This is because propane is a highly flammable fuel that has a low ignition temperature, meaning it can easily catch fire when exposed to a spark or flame. Once the initial spark ignites the propane gas, the combustion reaction produces heat, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. The heat generated from the reaction sustains the burning of propane, so no more sparks are needed to keep it burning.

User Valter Minute
by
5.3k points
4 votes

Answer:

The spark starts a chain reaction

Step-by-step explanation:

The spark combusts a few molecules of propane gas in the presence of oxygen. The reaction is exothermic. Therefore the dispensed heat energy spurs the combustion of the nearby propane molecule that emits more heat energy. This continues, very rapidly, causing an explosion due to the high amounts of energy released from the combustion reaction.

User Pablomatico
by
5.3k points