Description: Powdered dry ice is placed in a transparent tube equipped with a pressure gauge. As the dry ice sublimes, the pressure goes up. The solid melts at about 4 atmospheres gauge.

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

Source: Journal of Chemical Education

Year: 1989 Vol: 66 Page: 597

Keywords: Dry ice, Sublimation, Pressure, Liquefaction

Rating:

Hazard: Some

Cryogenic burn hazard
Asphyxiation hazard
Explosion hazard

Effectiveness: Good

Results are observable with guidance
Low failure rate
Good connection from demo to course material
Time to results is medium

Difficulty: Medium

Demo performed at non-standard conditions
Some intermediate steps to results
Some strength-dependent manipulations

Safety Precautions:

Cryogenic gloves required
Eye protection required
Perform in a well-ventilated area
If video feed is used, then use UL approved three-prong plug and outlet

Class: Intermolecular forces, Equilibrium of Chemical Systems

Division: General, Physical Chemistry

Home| General Chemistry Demonstrations

Return to Physical Chemistry Demonstrations