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Compression Igniter
1) Introduction
What causes bits of cotton inside a small tube to ignite when you quickly compress the air inside the tube? This project will explore this topic, using thermodynamics from Physics to explain the fire ignition process of a rods rapid succession in a tube (similar to how a diesel engine works through engineering) leading to a short burst of energy being released, creating fire within the tube.
Some Keys Words for further investigation
Compression Igniter, Ideal Gas Law, Adiabatic Process, Adiabatic Index, Adiabatic Compression, Volume, Entropy, Specific Heat, Internal Energy, Pressure, Ideal Gas Constant
2) Materials
Pasco Compression Igniter, Cotton Balls (Match stick/Wood for testing)
3) Procedure
Open top of the pump, and insert a tiny piece of cotton. Press the pump down fast, with as much force possible for a fire ignition within the rod.
4) Scientific Principle
When the pump enters the rod with enough force, pressure and temperature builds with the rapid compression. If it is pumped too slowly, then the heat will dissipate and return to equilibrium. The main scientific principle behind this specific project is themodynamincs. It is a branch of physics that invovles the use of heat and temperature with their relation to energy and work. It describes the bulk behavior of a body, not microscopic and is commonly used within the field of engineering. There are four thermodynamic laws:
Zeroth Law: If two systems are each in thermal equilibrium with a third, they are also in thermal equilibrium with each other.
First Law: The increase in internal energy of a closed system is equal to the difference of the heat supplied to the system and the work done by it: ΔU = Q - W
Second Law: Heat cannot spontaneously flow from a colder location to a hotter location.
Third Law: As a system approaches absolute zero the entropy of the system approaches a minimum value
Another key concept of thermondynamics is the adiabtic process, which is the process between the transfer of heat or matter between a system and its surroundings. Essentially, this explains the fire ignition within the rod, through the application of force, increasing the energy and transferring the heat to yield fire.
5) Safety Regulations
Glass can possibly break, so it is advised to wear goggles and protective gloves in the possible case that this might happen.
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