Burning Trail of Gasoline: Myth or Reality?

🔥Gasoline burns in a contiguous line but the speed depends on various factors, including the amount of fuel and proximity to the gas source.

💣Bullet holes in a gas tank can lead to fuel leakage, but the speed at which the fuel burns depends on the size of the hole and its proximity to the tank.

⚡️Defibrillators should not cause a person's bra or nipple piercings to catch fire, but there is a possibility of minor burns if the metal comes in contact with the paddles.

🚗Creating a Hollywood-style exploding car with a flaming gas trail is highly improbable. Gasoline is the most volatile fuel for such scenarios, while diesel and jet fuel are less likely to ignite on the ground.

⏰The speed at which gasoline burns is not fast enough to catch up with a moving car in real-life scenarios, as portrayed in action movies.

Can shooting a gas tank create a flaming trail of fuel?

—Yes, shooting a gas tank can cause a fuel leak, but the resulting flame will not usually catch up with a car and cause an explosion.

Is gasoline the most volatile fuel for movie-style explosions?

—Yes, gasoline is the most volatile and commonly used fuel in movies for creating trailblazing explosions.

Can defibrillation cause a person's bra or nipple piercings to catch fire?

—No, defibrillators do not cause bras or nipple piercings to catch fire. However, there is a possibility of minor burns if the metal comes in contact with the paddles.

Do bullet holes in a gas tank lead to fuel leakage?

—Yes, bullet holes in a gas tank can cause fuel leakage, resulting in a potential fire hazard.

Why do gasoline fires burn in a contiguous line?

—Gasoline fires burn in a contiguous line because it is the vapor gas above the liquid that ignites, and the fuel vapor remains concentrated when the trail is fresh. As it spreads out, its speed decreases.

00:00On this episode of MythBusters, Adam and Jamie test the idea of a burning trail of gasoline.

03:14Gasoline burns at a consistent speed of 1.5 to 1.7 seconds for a 7-foot trail.

06:50Diesel and jet fuel do not ignite as easily as gasoline when exposed to a flame on the ground.

12:24Defibrillation does not cause a person's bra or nipple piercings to catch fire, but there is a possibility of minor burns if the metal comes in contact with the paddles.

16:21A 22 caliber bullet hole leaks about 3.5 liters of fuel per minute, while a 44 caliber hole leaks about 7.5 liters per minute.

19:41A moving vehicle does not create a flaming gas trail that can catch up with it, as seen in action movies.