How does Mars' ambient temperature frequently compare to the ignition threshold requirement?
Answer
Surface temperatures often plunge far below $-100^\circ$F (about $-73^\circ$C).
Mars is characterized by extreme cold, with surface temperatures frequently dropping well beneath $-100^\circ$F, equivalent to about $-73^\circ$C. While some chemical reactions can proceed at low temperatures, most common fuels require a substantial input of energy to reach their ignition point. The ambient environment actively works against ignition because the surrounding cold leaches heat away from any potential reaction zone at an incredible rate, making it significantly harder to achieve and sustain the necessary thermal threshold for fire propagation.
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