Question: A fire piston-an impressive physics demonstration-ignites a fire without matches. The operation is shown in Figure Q11.18. A wad of cotton is placed at the
A fire piston-an impressive physics demonstration-ignites a fire without matches. The operation is shown in Figure Q11.18. A wad of cotton is placed at the bottom of a sealed syringe with a tight-fitting plunger. When the plunger is rapidly depressed, the air temperature in the syringe rises enough to ignite the cotton. Explain why the air temperature rises, and why the plunger must FIGURE 011.18 be pushed in very quickly.

FIGURE Q11.18
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The air temperature in the syringe rises when the plunger is rapidly depressed due to the principles of adiabatic compression and the ideal gas law Wh... View full answer
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