So my Gma is ALWAYS telling me not to slide into the car or move while pumping gas cuz it'll make friction and blow up the car. O.o
Is this true???? I reeeeeeeally wanna know! :P From someone whom actually KNOWS and can prove it preferably....Thanks!!!!!
Is this true???? I reeeeeeeally wanna know! :P From someone whom actually KNOWS and can prove it preferably....Thanks!!!!!
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Actually, the sliding action she's worried about creates static electricity which builds up then discharges in a single large spark. The spark is big enough to ignite the gasoline vapor that may be present and cause an explosion.
However, kids sliding around in the car won't cause the ignition spark. The ignition usually happens when a person tries to fill a plastic gas can by setting it on the bed of a pickup truck that has a vinyl bed liner. What happens is that as the gas can fills, gasoline vapor builds up over the gasoline liquid in the can. Then not holding the nozzle steady (or kids jumping around in the car) causes the can to move relative to the bed, and plastic rubbing on the vinyl builds up a static charge. When the charge is large enough, it discharges from the surface of the can to the metal nozzle, igniting the gasoline vapor in the can along the way; resulting the often fatal explosion.
Gma probably saw the tv news article they did on this 5 years ago, and just forgot that it mainly applies to filling plastic gas cans. Kids sliding around in the car while someone fills the car's gas tank won't do anything. In the old days, gas cans used to be made of metal, so there was no concern about static electricity and vinyl bedliners. And these days, most gas stations have little signs that warn people to put the plastic gas can on the ground/concrete before filling and NOT to place it on the bed of their truck (or trunk of their car) to fill it.
If you want proof -- just check for the warning label when you visit a gas station, or look for a similar warning label in the store where they sell the plastic gas cans.
However, kids sliding around in the car won't cause the ignition spark. The ignition usually happens when a person tries to fill a plastic gas can by setting it on the bed of a pickup truck that has a vinyl bed liner. What happens is that as the gas can fills, gasoline vapor builds up over the gasoline liquid in the can. Then not holding the nozzle steady (or kids jumping around in the car) causes the can to move relative to the bed, and plastic rubbing on the vinyl builds up a static charge. When the charge is large enough, it discharges from the surface of the can to the metal nozzle, igniting the gasoline vapor in the can along the way; resulting the often fatal explosion.
Gma probably saw the tv news article they did on this 5 years ago, and just forgot that it mainly applies to filling plastic gas cans. Kids sliding around in the car while someone fills the car's gas tank won't do anything. In the old days, gas cans used to be made of metal, so there was no concern about static electricity and vinyl bedliners. And these days, most gas stations have little signs that warn people to put the plastic gas can on the ground/concrete before filling and NOT to place it on the bed of their truck (or trunk of their car) to fill it.
If you want proof -- just check for the warning label when you visit a gas station, or look for a similar warning label in the store where they sell the plastic gas cans.
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the friction of your clothes on the seats could possibly cause static electricity sparks - but it is highly unlikely that they would ignite the fuel vapour.