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Re: vapor versus gas

At 04:18 7/25/99 -0400, John Denker wrote:
...

*) ISTM the word vapor is used to emphasize that we are talking about the
gas phase, not the corresponding liquid. Examples:
--) They fill balloons from a tank of helium gas. It would sound quite
weird to call it helium vapor. Explanation: there is no liquid anywhere in
sight.
--) Welders use acetylene gas. Same explanation.....

I thoroughly sympathize with John Denker's differentiation rules for
vapor vs gas.

This does not impede my regrettable nit-picking propensity.

In re acetylene:
it is found that pressurized acetylene is unstable, so it is
dissolved in a matrix saturated with acetone liquid.
Acetylene thereby evolves from a liquid. QNED
(QNED means quid non erat demonstrandum. But what does ISTM mean?)

brian whatcott <inet@intellisys.net>
Altus OK