Flammable gases have different densities. The pattern of how the gas ignites can be helpful in identifying the type of flammable gas that was present.
Feature
Lighter than Air
Same as Air
Heavier than Air
accumulation
highest point (rises)
no preference
lowest point (sinks)
direction of explosion
down
in all directions
upward
The density of air varies with factors such as temperature and altitude. The density at STP is 1.226 kg per cubic meter.
Methane (the primary component of natural gas) has a density of 0.657 kg per cubic meter.
Propane gas has a density of 1.808 kg per cubic meter.
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Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
ICD-10: ,
