Even though several breakthroughs in Chemistry were achieved by them, the Curie’s are known to majority of the world for their revolutionary work on radioactivity. However, it is amazing to know that one of their discoveries has given one of the most common accessories any kitchen has. Not related to radioactivity, this is the Gas Lighter. Based on the principle of piezoelectricity, which is one of the discoveries made by Jacques Curie and Pierre Curie. Piezoelectric lighters are an economic solution to light gas stoves. Ever wondered how does a small force of thumb produces a spark of the order of kilo volts (kV)? Let’s have a look on the insides and working of the lighter in this device dissection article.

Outer Structure

Hammer




Latch


Piezo Assembly




Working
Working of Piezoelectric gas lighter



This mechanical force generated by pressing the hammer assembly causes the crystal to generate voltage which is carried by the electrodes at the ignition head to generate a spark. This entire process gets completed in a second or two and the momentum generated by the thumb is strong enough to create a 7kV voltage spark that lights the air-gas mixture near the burner.
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