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Kansas City, Kansas
Dear Clayton:
As How Things Work
from the University of Virginia explains, gasoline nozzles have a small
hole at the end that becomes blocked when gasoline rises to the top of
the tank. Once this happens, the pressure drops inside a valve system
built into the pump. This cuts off the gas flow.
If you want the nitty-gritty details, check out The Straight Dope.
And if you don't believe us, check the end of the gas pump the next
time you're at the station. You should be able to see the valve system
hole.
We also found a suggestion
from Dr. Ezra of Cornell University. He states the valve system is
sensitive
to air pressure within the tank, which increases as the tank fills with
gas. Dr. Ezra, we respect your diploma, but this is simply not true.
And as to the rumors that cell phones can start gas station fires, Engadget
tells us that it just ain't so. Sadly, this hasn't stopped a
Connecticut state senator from trying to introduce a bill requiring
drivers to hang up their cell phones before filling their tank.
Yeesh.
