🔍 Key Concepts

• Flash point is the lowest temperature at which oil gives off vapors that can ignite. • Think about which contaminant would make the oil easier to ignite, not harder. • Consider how water, sludge, carbon, and fuel each affect oil volatility and ignition characteristics.

💭 Think About

• Which of these contaminants would add more easily ignitable vapor to the lube oil as temperature rises? • Would water, sludge, or carbon generally make an oil more or less likely to catch fire at a lower temperature? Why? • Which option would most logically LOWER the temperature at which flammable vapors are produced?

✅ Before You Answer

• Be clear on the definition of flash point (lower flash point = easier to ignite). • Match each choice with whether it would tend to raise or lower flash point. • Eliminate any choice that would clearly make the oil harder to ignite (i.e., would likely INCREASE the flash point).