Do dusters defy physics?

Lean L

Diamond Member
Apr 30, 2009
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Computer duster, as you spray, it gets cooler... how is that possible? Shouldn't any release of energy output heat?

Tool 1st one (name).
 

dighn

Lifer
Aug 12, 2001
22,820
4
81
Compressed gas expands, becomes cooler than surrounding air and heat is transferred from your skin to this expanded gas. That's why you feel cool.

and also the gas inside is liquid under press. as it boils, energy is absorbed.
 

TuxDave

Lifer
Oct 8, 2002
10,571
3
71

I always attributed this to a rapid drop in pressure which causes the condensed air (in liquid form) to convert to gas until the pressure builds up again to maintain the liquid form. The boiling of the liquid is an endothermic reaction which therefore causes the can to get cold.

Edit: Dammit Dighn, type slower.
 
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Lean L

Diamond Member
Apr 30, 2009
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Compressed gas expands, becomes cooler than surrounding air and heat is transferred from your skin to this expanded gas when it touches you. That's why you feel cool.

Okay that makes sense so far, but what about when you shake the can, it seems to get cooler when in fact, you introduced friction within the can.
 
Dec 10, 2005
28,820
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I always attributed this to a rapid drop in pressure which causes the condensed air (in liquid form) to convert to gas until the pressure builds up again to maintain the liquid form. The boiling of the liquid is an endothermic reaction which therefore causes the can to get cold.

Edit: Dammit Dighn, type slower.

P1V1 / T1 = P2V2/T2

Volume remains constant, so with a reduction in pressure, temperature decreases.
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
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is it because it's an endorthermic reaction?

Nope, it's strictly a pressure thing. Think about how an air conditioner works. It cools the air by the coolant expanding. The compresser then compresses it again and repeat.
 

MrPickins

Diamond Member
May 24, 2003
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Okay that makes sense so far, but what about when you shake the can, it seems to get cooler when in fact, you introduced friction within the can.

The liquid inside the can is cold after you spray it. Then you cause the liquid to make contact with a greater surface area of the can. Of course it's going to feel colder.
 

dighn

Lifer
Aug 12, 2001
22,820
4
81
if you haven't, try turning the can upside down and spray it on something (NOT YOUR SKIN ESP IMPORTANT PARTS) and watch it freeze
 

eldorado99

Lifer
Feb 16, 2004
36,324
3,163
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if you haven't, try turning the can upside down and spray it on something (NOT YOUR SKIN ESP IMPORTANT PARTS) and watch it freeze

Fuck that hurts. I sprayed my hand a tiny bit once and it killed. Of course that is because it was instant frostbite.
 

MJinZ

Diamond Member
Nov 4, 2009
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Computer duster, as you spray, it gets cooler... how is that possible? Shouldn't any release of energy output heat?

Tool 1st one (name).

Easily, the air is compressed inside the canister and exists as a liquid.

It literally "boils" when it comes out, so what you feel is the cold liquid expanding and become gaseous.
 

eldorado99

Lifer
Feb 16, 2004
36,324
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Bernoulli's principle

Bernard Bernoulli?

206772-bernard_large.gif
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
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Easily, the air is compressed inside the canister and exists as a liquid.

It literally "boils" when it comes out, so what you feel is the cold liquid expanding and become gaseous.

I become gaseous about 30 minutes after I eat. Same effect?
 
Apr 12, 2010
10,510
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i remembur in hi skool iyt wz cool to inhal the compresed aer cz it got u hi fr brif tim. i think it cuzed brin dmg meby