It's a matter of reduced pressure. Inside the lighter casing/reservoir, the pressure is slightly higher than atmospheric pressure. The liquid/vapor inside is satured, such that the pressure is fixed according to temperature. When a little vapor is released (because of the pressure differential between inside and out), more liquid becomes vapor to maintain an equilibrium.kateman said:i was interested if anyone could explain how a butane lighter can expand from liquid state into the gas state with what appears to be, more volume?
it'd be great if you could mention any laws or theories
thanks :)
Propane is more suited to colder environments since it evaporates at -44°F (-42°C) at atmospheric pressure. Butane evaporates at 33°F (-0.5°C) at atmospheric pressure.
The vapor pressure of a mixture of the two products can be found in the table below:
Butane lighter expansion is a phenomenon that occurs when the temperature of a butane lighter increases, causing the butane inside the lighter to expand and create a higher pressure. This increased pressure allows for the butane to be released as a gas through the lighter's nozzle, creating a flame.
Butane lighter expansion happens because of the ideal gas law, which states that as the temperature of a gas increases, its volume and pressure also increase. This is due to the increased kinetic energy of the gas molecules, causing them to move faster and take up more space.
In most cases, butane lighter expansion is not dangerous. However, if a lighter is exposed to extreme heat or left in a hot environment for a prolonged period of time, the pressure inside the lighter can become too high and potentially cause the lighter to explode. It is important to use caution and store lighters in a cool, dry place.
Butane lighter expansion has a direct effect on the size and intensity of the flame. As the pressure inside the lighter increases, more butane is released through the nozzle, creating a larger and hotter flame. This is why a lighter may have a bigger flame when first lit compared to after it has been used for a while and cooled down.
Yes, butane lighter expansion can be controlled by adjusting the temperature of the lighter. If a lighter is too hot and the pressure is too high, allowing it to cool down before use can help prevent a potentially dangerous situation. Additionally, some lighters have adjustable flame settings that can control the amount of butane released and the size of the flame.