UPSC Prelims PYQ 2000: Cause of most mine explosions
Most of the explosions in mines occur due to the mixing of
- hydrogen with oxygen
- oxygen with acetylene
- methane with air
- carbon dioxide with ethane
Explanation
Option (c) is correct
- Coal mines contain methane (firedamp). When methane mixes with air in certain proportions (5–15%), it becomes highly explosive. A small spark can trigger an explosion.
Answer: (c) methane with air
