I recently got a science teaching job and had to buy a cheap see-through lighter to ignite the Bunsens, I don’t understand why the tank has to have two different compartments on the inside. You can tilt it and fill up one or the other, could someone explain why this is necessary instead of one big tank?
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Why did I just waste 30 min reading about this?
You’ll notice the straight walled lighters (like you described) have the divider which is actually more of a rib as it allows pass through to either side. Then there is your classic Bic, which is oval. Both speak to structural integrity.
You don’t have a flint striker? Those things are relatively cheap and last nigh on forever.
Hold up… Science teaching job and your here asking what is basically a science question ?
They’re actually better than ones without the divider. As though the fumes and liquid are more concentrated in that section. The ones without always seem to pack in, due to lack of gas long before they’re empty.
I’m pretty sure the only reason is strength. Bic lighters also have a divided tank like the cheap crack lighters do.
No one concerned that OP is going to teach science and needs an ELI5 explanation for this?
I’ve read through many answers and am surprised I don’t see one reason mentioned.
Lighters have a tube/wick that sucks up lighter fluid to bring it to the top where it fuels the flame.
A secondary purpose for the divided chamber (other than structural support for the pressure inside) is providing a way to keep the tube dipped in the fluid.
Without the two tall chambers separated by the divider, fluid would lay more flat on the bottom of the lighter, making it harder for the tube to dip into it.
You can see this by holding the lighter up to a light source and dipping it to move the fluid around.
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