Main Group Elements- Preparation and Properties of Liquid Oxygen

Preparation and Properties of Liquid Oxygen

Description: Liquid oxygen is prepared by submersing a copper coil into liquid nitrogen and blowing oxygen through it from an oxygen tank. It is paramagnetic when in the field of a strong magnet.

This demonstration is also available on video and JCE Software  “Chemistry Comes Alive!”  Vol 2 CD-Rom

Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry

Year: 1985   Vol: 2   Page: 147

Keywords: Oxygen, Liquid, Paramagnetism, Nitrogen, MO theory, Diamagnetism

Rating:

Hazard: Medium

• Cryogenic burn hazard
• Asphyxiation hazard
• Skin irritation
• Eye irritation
• Oxidizer
• Electric shock hazard
• Gases under pressure hazard
• Implosion hazard – Dewar Flask

Effectiveness: Excellent

• Results are deeply engaging to audience
• Superior reliability
• Spectacular or counter-intuitive effects are seen by audience
• Experiment challenges preconceived concepts
• Negligible failure rate
• Excellent connection to course material
• Time to effects is low

Difficulty: Medium

• Sequential manipulations
• Use of cryogenic equipment
• Demos at non-standard conditions
• Demos in which a display is used
• Prior training recommended

Safety Precautions:

• Eye protection required
• Gloves required
• Cryogenic gloves are required
• Use of UL approved three-prong plug and outlet
• Perform in well-ventilated area
• Avoid use of ferromagnetic objects in magnetic field
• Temperature resistant surface recommended
• Avoid exposure to open flames
• Secure pressurized tanks during use and transport

Class: Bonding, Physical Chemistry, Intermolecular Forces

Division: General, Inorganic Chemistry

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