What may happen to a fuel heated to a high temperature?

When fuel is heated to a high temperature, it can reach a point where it spontaneously ignites without the need for an external ignition source, such as a spark or flame. This phenomenon is known as auto-ignition. Auto-ignition occurs when the temperature of the fuel exceeds its auto-ignition temperature, which is specific to each type of fuel.

In practical terms, this means that if conditions such as pressure and fuel composition are optimal, the heat can cause the fuel to ignite, leading to combustion. Understanding auto-ignition is crucial in fire prevention and safety, as it can occur in various scenarios, including engines, chemical processes, and storage.

While the choices related to explosion or flame-out may involve scenarios where heat and fuel are concerned, they don't directly pertain to the inherent property of fuels to ignite spontaneously at high temperatures, making auto-ignite the most relevant and accurate response to the question. Similarly, although transferring heat is a concept associated with thermal energy, it does not directly address the condition of fuel igniting due to high temperature.