Equilibrium of Chemical Systems- Ice Bomb

Description: Water is frozen inside a sealed cast-iron container by immersion in a dry ice/acetone or liquid nitrogen bath. The container splits and occasionally breaks in two. Due to product availability, this demo is on video only.

This demonstration is also available on video and JCE software: “Chemistry Comes Alive!” Vol. 1 CD-Rom

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

Year: 1989 Vol: 3 Page: 310

Keywords: Acetone, Dry ice, Liquid nitrogen, Cast-iron container, Freeze, Intermolecular forces

Rating:

Hazard: Medium

Cryogenic burn hazard
Explosion hazard
Asphyxiation hazard
Flammability hazard
Acute toxicity hazard
Serious eye damage hazard
Specific organ toxicity – central nervous system

Effectiveness: Excellent

Deeply engaging results
Profound connection to course material
Spectacular or counterintuitive effects are seen
Time to results is medium
Moderate reliability

Difficulty: Medium

Some careful manipulations required
Reaction or demo at non-standard conditions
Procedures with some intermediate steps
Some difficult manipulations

Safety Precautions:

Cryogenic gloves required
Perform in a well-ventilated area
Lab coat recommended
Use thermally resistant surface
Eye protection required
Avoid open flames

Class: Intermolecular Forces, Groups IA, IIA, and IIIB (1,2, and 13), Equilibrium of Chemical Systems

Division: General, Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry

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