Question

Many barbecues cook food using a propane tank. These tanks maintain a certain volume of propane under constant pressure. Why are propane tanks likely to explode in the event of a fire? Give an answer by referring to the formulas in the Laws of Gases.

Answer 1

The gas container releases the gas maintaining a particular pressure value.  

In the event of a fire, the temperature outside the tank increases. As a result of heat conduction, the gas inside the tank will also heat up and thus temperature increases.

From gas law , pressure is directly proportional to temperature.

And P/T = constant or P1/T1 = P2/T2

As the temperature increases, the pressure also increases. Due to the immense pressure developed inside the tank. The tank explodes to release the pressure.