Propane facts for kids

Propane is a special kind of chemical compound that is made of carbon and hydrogen atoms. Its chemical formula is C₃H₈. This means each propane molecule has three carbon atoms and eight hydrogen atoms. Propane is a type of alkane, which is a family of simple carbon-based chemicals.

Propane is a colorless gas, meaning you can't see it. It also doesn't have any smell on its own. However, a strong-smelling chemical is usually added to it so people can easily detect a leak. This is very important for safety!

Propane is widely used as a fuel. It burns very quickly and produces a lot of heat.

Where Does Propane Come From?

Propane is found naturally underground. It is usually extracted from natural gas or from petroleum (crude oil). When these are processed, propane can be separated and collected.

What Is Propane Used For?

Propane is a very versatile fuel. Many homes use it for heating, especially in areas where natural gas pipelines don't reach. It's also used for cooking on gas stoves and outdoor grills.

You might see propane tanks used for camping stoves or for heating water. It's also used in some vehicles as a fuel, like forklifts or special cars.

How Does Propane Behave?

Propane is a gas at normal temperatures and pressures. But it can be turned into a liquid if it's cooled down a lot or put under high pressure. This is why you see propane stored in tanks as a liquid. When you release the pressure, it turns back into a gas.

• Propane gets very cold before it turns into a liquid. Its melting temperature is about -187.7 °C (that's super cold!).
• It boils and turns into a gas at about -42 °C. This means it's a gas even on a very cold winter day.
• The gas is heavier than air, so if there's a leak, it can collect in low areas.

Is Propane Safe?

Propane is very useful, but it needs to be handled carefully because it is highly flammable. This means it can easily catch fire or explode if it mixes with air and finds a spark.

• Danger: Propane is extremely flammable.
• It's important to keep propane away from heat, sparks, open flames, and hot surfaces.
• Always store propane containers in a well-ventilated area.
• If there's a leak, the added smell helps you notice it right away. If you smell propane, you should leave the area and tell an adult immediately.

Images for kids

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  Skeletal formula of propane

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  Skeletal formula of propane showing all carbon and hydrogen atoms

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  A ball and stick model of propane, showing atoms as balls and bonds as sticks

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  A spacefill model of propane, showing the relative size of the atoms

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  A 20 lb (9.1 kg) steel propane cylinder. This cylinder has a special valve to prevent overfilling.

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  A graph showing how the temperature and density of liquid and vapor propane are related.

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  A large, round steel tank used to store propane at a home.

See also

In Spanish: Propano para niños