Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Boiling Point and Vaporization
The boiling point of a substance is the temperature at which its vapor pressure equals the external pressure, allowing it to transition from liquid to gas. For butane, the normal boiling point is -0.5 °C, meaning it will vaporize at this temperature under standard atmospheric pressure. When butane escapes from the tank, it vaporizes, absorbing heat from the remaining liquid, which can lower the temperature of the liquid butane.
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Heat of Vaporization
The heat of vaporization is the amount of energy required to convert a unit mass of a liquid into vapor without a change in temperature. For butane, this process requires significant energy, which is drawn from the remaining liquid butane in the tank. As the escaping gas absorbs heat, the temperature of the liquid butane decreases, leading to a cooling effect.
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Thermodynamics and Energy Transfer
Thermodynamics is the study of energy transfer and its effects on matter. When butane vaporizes, it undergoes an endothermic process, meaning it absorbs heat from its surroundings. This energy transfer results in a decrease in the temperature of the remaining liquid butane, illustrating the principles of energy conservation and the relationship between phase changes and temperature.
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First Law of Thermodynamics