HAND-BOILER (LOVEMETER)

ILLUSTRATE THERMAL EXPANSION, VOLATILITY, VAPOR PRESSURE, ETC.

The simple "handboiler" contains a volatile liquid (methyl chloride).  DO NOT DROP.  Volatile liquids have much steeper P vs. T curves than water, for example.  Warming the bottom bulb increases the pressure there and drives the fluid "crazy".  Originally marketed as a "Hand-Boiler" scientific toy, recently the advertising agency changed the title of this little device to a "Love Meter" in order to increase sales.  It probably didn't work because I don't think you can get these any more (maybe because of the methyl choride - which is not a healthy substance).

©2000.  John Hart, University of Colorado