Equilibrium of Chemical Systems- Water Cryophorus Tube

Water Cryophorous Tube

Description: A tube contains water and water vapor.  When one end of the tube is cooled, the equilibrium shifts to produce more water vapor. This cools the water at the top of the tube, and it quickly freezes. Other versions of this experiment use bromine and cyclohexane.

Source: Alyea, H. N., Dutton, F.B., Baker, P.  Tested Demonstrations in Chemistry/ JCE

Year:1950  Vol: 27  Page: 63/617

Keywords: Cryophorous tube, Water, Water vapor, Temperature

Rating:

Hazard: Medium

  • Implosion hazard
  • Cryogenic burn hazard
  • Mild asphyxiation hazard

Effectiveness: Good

  • Strong effects are seen by audience
  • High reliability
  • Good connection from demo to course material
  • Counterintuitive effects
  • Time to results is medium

Difficulty: Medium

  • Demo at non-standard conditions
  • Procedures with some intermediate steps
  • Simple manipulations for most to perform
  • Demos in which a display is used

Safety Precautions:

  • Eye protection required
  • Cryogenic gloves required
  • Lab coat recommended
  • Perform in a well-ventilated area

Class: Gases, Equilibrium of Chemical Systems

Division: General, Physical Chemistry