How can mechanical sparks occur?

Mechanical sparks occur primarily through metal-to-metal contact. This phenomenon happens when two metal surfaces collide or rub against each other with sufficient force, generating enough heat to create a spark. This is often seen in environments where machinery or tools are operated, such as construction sites or within various mechanical systems. For example, the friction generated by a metal grinding against another metal component can easily produce a spark, particularly if the surfaces are rough or if there is a significant amount of force applied.

While other options may relate to fire hazards, they do not specifically link to the generation of mechanical sparks as directly as metal-to-metal contact does. Mixing different fuel types might create explosive or flammable environments, excessive oil consumption can lead to a variety of mechanical failures but not necessarily sparks, and overheating of an engine can cause combustion and other issues, but sparks specifically arise from physical contact between metals.