Dry ice experiments are typically performed by placing dry ice in warm water to create a visually appealing fog effect and explore sublimation.
Simple Dry Ice Experiment: Bubbling Fog
This is a classic and safe way to observe dry ice in action.
- Gather materials: You will need dry ice (handle with gloves!), a bowl, and warm water.
- Prepare the bowl: Fill the bowl with warm water. The warmer the water, the more dramatic the effect.
- Add the dry ice: Carefully place a chunk of dry ice into the bowl of warm water using gloves or tongs.
- Observe: The dry ice will immediately begin to sublimate, turning directly from a solid into a gas (carbon dioxide). This creates a dense, white fog that spills over the sides of the bowl.
Safety Precautions
- Always use gloves or tongs when handling dry ice. It can cause severe burns due to its extremely low temperature (-109.3°F or -78.5°C).
- Perform experiments in a well-ventilated area. While carbon dioxide is not toxic, a buildup of the gas in a confined space can displace oxygen and lead to suffocation.
- Never seal dry ice in an airtight container. The pressure from the sublimating gas can cause the container to explode.
- Supervise children closely.
- Dispose of unused dry ice properly. Let it sublimate in a well-ventilated area. Do not dispose of it in the trash or down the drain.
Further Exploration
Beyond the simple fog effect, you can explore other properties of dry ice:
- Bubbling Solutions: Add soap to the warm water to create large, impressive bubbles filled with carbon dioxide fog.
- Sublimation Rates: Experiment with different water temperatures to see how it affects the speed of sublimation.
- Musical Sounds: Press a metal spoon firmly against a block of dry ice. The vibrations will create a squealing sound. (Exercise caution as the spoon will become extremely cold.)
