Using Liquid Nitrogen to Do Work
Description: Liquid is placed in a sidearm flask with a silicone tube attached to the sidearm. A large cork stopper is firmly pressed into the top orifice of the flask. The tube is then sealed by crimping it manually, causing the pressure to build in the flask until it is high enough to eject the stopper, doing work on the stopper via expansion.
∆
N2(l) → N2(g)
Source: Prof. Moore, J.W.
Year: 2000 Vol: N/A Page: N/A
Keywords: Work, Cork stopper, Gas, Expansion, Isothermal, Adiabatic, Phase, Pressure
Rating: 
Hazard: Some
- Cryogenic burn hazard
- Asphyxiation hazard
- Projectile hazard
Effectiveness: Good
- Good connection from demo to course material
- Results are observable without guidance
- Time to results is low
- Strong effects are seen by audience
Difficulty: Medium
- Some intermediate steps to results
- Some sequential manipulation
- Demos at non-standard conditions
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Gloves required
- Perform in a well-ventilated area
- Perform in a room with ceilings minimum three meters in height
- Avoid directing projectile towards audience
Class: Gases, Thermodynamics
Division: General, Physical Chemistry
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