As a chemical specialist with a focus on the properties of various fuels, I can provide a detailed analysis on the flammability of kerosene.
Kerosene is a type of petroleum distillate that has been used for various purposes, including as a fuel for heating and lighting, as well as in aviation. It is important to understand the characteristics of kerosene to assess its flammability accurately.

Flammability is a measure of how easily a substance can ignite and burn. Several factors contribute to the flammability of a substance, including its volatility, flash point, and the presence of oxygen.
Volatility refers to the tendency of a substance to vaporize and form flammable vapors. The flash point is the temperature at which a substance can form an ignitable mixture in air under normal atmospheric conditions.

Kerosene is indeed highly flammable, but it is less volatile than gasoline. This means that it does not evaporate as quickly as gasoline, which can be an advantage in terms of safety. The flash point of kerosene is typically around 38°C (100°F) or higher, which is significantly higher than that of gasoline, which can be as low as -40°C (-40°F). This higher flash point indicates that kerosene requires a higher temperature to reach a state where it can ignite.

The difference in flash points between kerosene and gasoline is significant. A higher flash point suggests that kerosene is less likely to ignite accidentally, making it a relatively safer fuel to store and handle. However, this does not mean that kerosene is not a fire hazard. When kerosene is heated to its flash point or above, it can produce flammable vapors that, if they come into contact with an ignition source, can result in a fire.

It is also important to consider the autoignition temperature, which is the temperature at which a substance will ignite without an external ignition source. Kerosene's autoignition temperature is higher than that of gasoline, further supporting the notion that it is less likely to ignite spontaneously.

In addition to its flash point and autoignition temperature, the flammability of kerosene is also influenced by the presence of oxygen and the concentration of its vapor in the air. Kerosene vapors can form an explosive mixture with air within a certain range of concentrations known as the flammability limits. These limits are typically expressed as a percentage of the vapor in the air, and they vary depending on the substance.

When kerosene is stored or handled, it is crucial to follow safety protocols to prevent accidental ignition. This includes ensuring proper ventilation to prevent the buildup of flammable vapors, storing kerosene in tightly sealed containers, and keeping it away from heat sources and ignition sources.

In summary, while kerosene is highly flammable, its properties such as higher flash point and autoignition temperature compared to gasoline make it a relatively safer fuel to store and handle. However, it is still essential to treat kerosene with the respect it deserves as a flammable substance and to adhere to safety measures to prevent fires and explosions.

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Kerosene is less volatile than gasoline. Its flash point (the temperature at which it will generate a flammable vapour near its surface) is 38 --C (100 --F) or higher, whereas that of gasoline is as low as ?40 --C (?40 --F). This property makes kerosene a relatively safe fuel to store and handle.read more >>