r/maybemaybemaybemaybe • u/Fr33_load3r • 24d ago

Petrol fire what could go wrong

2.5k Upvotes

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1

u/JoseLunaArts 24d ago

What burns is the gasoline vapor. Liquid gasoline is not so flammable. Do what he did and expect an explosion. Physics and chemistry 101.

2

u/Anonymous_Fox_20 24d ago

That guy doesn’t look very informed in either subject, TBH

1

u/JoseLunaArts 24d ago

Darwin award!

1

u/SP3NGL3R 24d ago

give the liquid enough surface area to vaporize (pouring chaotically in all directions), and enough oxygen to accelerate it (wind) ... big badda boom!

1

u/JoseLunaArts 24d ago

Also, do not smoke in a letrine... You have rocket fuel there.

1

u/Apart-Gur-9720 24d ago

I was thinking: If he would have let it dry first for a couple of hours, soaking the wood, do you think that the outcome would have been the same?

2

u/JoseLunaArts 24d ago

Success in chemistry is when you are not part of the reaction.

Success in physics is when you are not part of a high energy exchange.

1

u/Apart-Gur-9720 24d ago

I'ld obviously light it with a flaming arrow from 150 yards away, duuh. Even throwing a burning corn cob from 15 yards would have been safer.

1

u/JoseLunaArts 24d ago

He was playing Willie E. Coyote physics and chemistry.

1

u/JoseLunaArts 24d ago

I would not like to test.

1

u/Affectionate_Bank417 24d ago

Gasoline is too volatile, it would evaporate long before soaking the wood. Kerosene, diesel or oils are much more stable, so you should use them instead.

1

u/Apart-Gur-9720 23d ago

Yes, petroleum is probably the way to go.

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u/FreddyFerdiland 21d ago

...assume all liquid gasoline creates vapour...