Final answer:
Energy loss occurs when combustible gases lead to heat dissipating into the surroundings or producing waste products with no useful energy instead of being converted into work. This is notable during processes such as heating or fuel combustion in engines, exacerbated by rapid expansions in substances like gasoline and steel.
Step-by-step explanation:
Combustible gases are substantial in energy loss when energy is wasted in forms other than the desired output, typically during the combustion process. For instance, when heat is lost into the surroundings, such as into the room during cooking or into the metal of an engine during gasoline combustion, the energy from the combustible gases does not translate efficiently into work. This is particularly evident when dealing with large volumes, like a 60.0-L tank, where the expansion of gasoline and steel can lead to significant shifts in thermal properties. Additionally, the combustion of fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas, which supply over 80% of total energy needs, results in waste products like CO2 and H2O that contain no useful energy. The efficiency of the energy transfer can also be affected by the rate of change in thermal properties and the energy density of the fuel.