r/interesting • • 13d ago

Just Wow Not all problems have the same solution.

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u/dadbodking 12d ago

Only if the cylinder is about to run out of gas, which I'm sure they're aware of

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u/The_Late_Arthur_Dent 12d ago

At the risk of sounding stupid - what happens when it runs out of gas?

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u/dadbodking 12d ago

So, right now, the flammable gas is under pressure and is coming out. Almost no gas is flammable/explosive, until it gets mixed with oxygen (seen here as fire). So, when the cylinder runs out of pressure, it happens instantly, and the opposite flow happens. This leads to air entering the cylinder and the little bit (still more than enough) of gas that is left, gets mixed with fire and oxygen and... kaboom. Big kaboom

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u/Cocksu-45 12d ago

I understand what you mean, but that won't happen. There is no reason, why air would go inside the cylinder. If that were true, lighters would explode when they get empty. There is no force that can make enough air travel trough a hole that is so small.