Why doesn't the gasoline in your car spontaneously ignite into flames? (The reaction of gasoline with oxygen is called a combustion reaction and is the reaction that is used to power your car.)
A) The products of a combustion reaction have more energy than the reactants.
B) The gasoline in your car is in an air-tight container, so it cannot react with the oxygen from the air.
C) The amount of energy in the bonds of the products exceeds the amount of energy in the bonds of the reactants.
D) The reactants of the combustion of gasoline have less energy and the products.
E) The gasoline in your car alone cannot overcome the activation energy.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The gasoline in your car does not spontaneously ignite because it cannot overcome the activation energy required for combustion without an external source of energy, such as a spark from the spark plugs in an engine.

Why Doesn't the Gasoline in Your Car Spontaneously Ignite into Flames