Connecticut Safe Boating Practice Test

What happens to gasoline vapors when they evaporate?

1. They rise to the top of the vessel

2. They dissipate into the air

3. They settle to the bottom of the vessel

4. They mix with the water

The correct answer is: They settle to the bottom of the vessel

Gasoline vapors, when they evaporate, are lighter than air and tend to rise. Therefore, as they evaporate from a vessel, they will move upwards rather than settle down. The correct answer indicates that vapors would not settle to the bottom of the vessel, as heavier substances or liquids do. Instead, as gasoline vapors evaporate, they typically dissipate into the air, forming a potentially flammable mixture that can pose safety risks. This emphasizes the importance of proper ventilation and safety measures when handling gasoline or similar substances to prevent accumulation of vapors that could ignite.