Final answer:
The maximum gallons of fuel permitted in a fuel laboratory vary based on safety and regulatory standards. Typically, a passenger vehicle fuel tank holds about 13 gallons, which is approximately 38 kg of gasoline. The energy content and thermal expansion of gasoline are important considerations for laboratory fuel storage regulations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's inquiry about the maximum amount of gallons of fuel permitted in a fuel laboratory doesn't have a simple answer, as it depends on regulatory standards, safety protocols, and the specific design of the fuel laboratory in question.
However, for illustrative purposes, a typical fuel tank for a passenger vehicle holds about 13 gallons of gasoline, which would equate to approximately 38 kg when considering the density of gasoline at 0.75 kg/L. This 13-gallon figure serves as a practical measure for individual vehicle tanks rather than laboratory fuel storage limits. When discussing chemical energy and comparison with gravitational potential energy, it is noted that the energy content of gasoline is high compared to alternatives like lifting a mass to gain potential energy.
For instance, the energy within 7 mL of gasoline could lift 1,500 kg to a height of 4 meters. Regulations for fuel storage in laboratories would likely focus on such energy content concerns and the thermal expansion properties of gasoline mentioned in the discussion on Heat and Heat Transfer Methods, among other safety considerations.