Gas cylinder principle

The principle of natural gas cylinder is to put a transparent solution composed of several chemicals in the bottle. The solubility of camphor in ethanol will change with the change of external temperature. Potassium nitrate, ammonium chloride and water control the continuous nucleation during the high-speed growth of crystals.

When the temperature changes, the crystal of camphor will precipitate, and the speed of temperature change will affect the growth size and structure of the crystal. When these factors add up, different types of crystals will appear in the bottle, thus predicting the weather changes.

Gas cylinder phenomenon

In that historic voyage, fitzroy accurately recorded the weather forecast of the storm flask: if the liquid is clear, it means the weather will be fine; If the liquid is turbid, sometimes accompanied by precipitation, the weather will be as turbid as a solution.

If there is precipitation suspended in the solution, it means that the weather is wet or frosty; If suspended sediment and foggy liquid coexist, it means a storm is coming; If there is precipitation suspended in the liquid on a clear winter day, it means it will snow.

If there is a lot of sediment in the liquid on a warm day or snowy winter, it will be turbid; If there is crystal precipitation at the bottom of the cup, it means it is going to frost; If there is a spiral at the top, it means it will be windy.