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  • Subject: Is methane gas capable of causing a reaction when exposed to light?
Subject: Is methane gas capable of causing a reaction when exposed to light?

0_o
/ /_____/___// ___________
| ____BLAAAAAARRGHH__
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Electric light, I mean.

Last night my brother left a gas heater on. Just the gas, but I didn't realize until the smell got to me. I quickly got up from my bed (He was already asleep. We share a room) and checked the heater, I turned on the light because I couldn't see -blam!-, and turned off the gas. I then turned off the light and went to sleep, thinking that if I had fallen asleep earlier... I probably would have not woken up.

So anyways. Today in the morning I told my brother that he had left the gas on, and he asked me if I had turned on the light in the room. I said "Yes", and he started laughing and mocking me, asking where the hell did I get the brilliant idea.

It got me thinking. Can electrical light cause the methane to explode? Like a spark would.

Also, what could have happened if I fell asleep with the gas thing going on?

Thanks.

  • 01.03.2013 4:54 PM PDT
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Well, here we are. I guess that it was destined to come to this.

When you move a standard electrical switch from off to on, the current can and typically does jump the gap as the contacts get closer. So yes, it could provide an ignition source.

  • 01.03.2013 4:56 PM PDT

Unsuccessfully trying to bring science and reason to The Flood...

Not by the light itself, it doesn't get hot enough. But if when you turn it on a spark could easily set it off.

I would say it is fairly unlikely though, but best to be safe.

  • 01.03.2013 4:56 PM PDT

0_o
/ /_____/___// ___________
| ____BLAAAAAARRGHH__
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Oh, now I get it.
So in that case, it would be better to use a flashlight?

  • 01.03.2013 4:57 PM PDT
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Posted by: Fender 159
Oh, now I get it.
So in that case, it would be better to use a flashlight?
I'd err on the side of caution and just not turn on any electrical devices.

  • 01.03.2013 4:59 PM PDT

0_o
/ /_____/___// ___________
| ____BLAAAAAARRGHH__
\ _\ \ \ \\ \


Posted by: SealOfOrichalcos
Sounds like you are trying to make a bomb aka illegal activities aka against the rules.


Oh, come on...

  • 01.03.2013 4:59 PM PDT

1 marriage request.

All teh cookies.

1 huggle.

I think he probably meant the heat being output by the heater was in danger of causing the combustion of the methane.

  • 01.03.2013 5:01 PM PDT

Unsuccessfully trying to bring science and reason to The Flood...


Posted by: Fender 159
Oh, now I get it.
So in that case, it would be better to use a flashlight?


I'd say using a flashlight would almost certainly be the safe option. If you are still worried, turn it on outside of the room with the methane, and then go in. There isn't any danger of a spark when it is already on...

  • 01.03.2013 5:02 PM PDT

OMG
Master Chief w/o his Helmet!


Stosh <3's me vicariously... at least someone does...

Not by itself, and not in any situation you're going to encounter.

Your brother was probably referring to sparks caused by the electric current running to the light rather then the light itself.

And there's no such thing as "electric light." All light is comprised of electomagnetic waves. While the source can change the intensity, frequency, wavelength, or orientation, it will never change that.

[Edited on 01.03.2013 5:03 PM PST]

  • 01.03.2013 5:02 PM PDT