The scientific method

The seminar quantitative coke bottle experiments

After much qualitative work in the field, Houghton and Lister present work of unprecedented care and detail. They note that

• 1 atmosphere = 16 p.s.i. (pounds per square inch for those in the audience not able to vector their own thrust nozzles)
• When it comes to Nitrogen at least, 1 mole = 28 grams = 35cc of liquid = 22 litres of gas
• A canonical container can withstand 80-90 p.s.i. before undergoing a castastrophic and irreversible failure of its structural integrity
• A Vick's inhaler container has a capacity of 17.5cc

Thus they conclude (and who wouldn't ?) that 17cc, that is to say one nose's worth, of Nitrogen represents the optimum charge for a uni-bottle device. Larger weapons, such as those popularized by Lister himself, probably require more than just one nose worth of Nitrogen to achieve escape velocity.

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