Fun with Liquid Nitrogen

Description: Various objects are frozen and then smashed and shattered.

Concept: Liquid nitrogen is very cold ( it boils at -195.79o C).

Materials:
bulletLarge Dewar full of liquid nitrogen
bulletDewar for demo
bulletRed rubber ball
bulletBanana
bulletKnife
bulletWood block with nail and round stick with point on end
bulletBalloons
bulletCrucible tongs
bulletRubber tube
bulletHammer
bulletInsulated gloves

Safety:

Wear insulated gloves to protect hands from frost bite.

Procedure in no particular order:

Cut banana in half.

Insert pointed end of the round stick into the halved banana to make a "hammer".

Stick the banana into the liquid nitrogen until it is hard as a hammer.

Use banana "hammer" to pound nail into wooden block.

Compare to real hammer.

Put inflated balloon into dewar of liquid nitrogen. Show change in volume.

Place water filled balloon in nitrogen.  Allow it to freeze, then remove the balloon and pour out water.  You should have an ice shell.

Freeze IU rubber balls and throw at ground to produce a "pop".

Freeze rubber tubing and hit against bench top.

Clean- up: Throw banana in trash. Let any extra liquid nitrogen evaporate.

 

 
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Last modified: April 14, 2012

Ó    Copyright 2012