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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2002  > October  >
Chemistry for Everyone
Tested Demonstrations
The Liquid Nitrogen Fountain
Robin McRae, Jeffrey A. Rahn, Timothy W. Beamer, and Norm LeBret
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA 99004-2440

Checked by:

Mark J. Warner and Emily J. S. Brown.
Science Theatre, Abrams Planetarium, Michigan State University, East Lansing , MI 48824-1322


Cover
October 2002
Vol. 79 No. 10
p. 1220

Abstract
Details of a demonstration using liquid nitrogen are presented. The demonstration is based on a 500-mL transparent polyethylene soft-drink bottle with a screw-on pop-up drink top. Prior to the demonstration, a balloon is placed over the popped-up spout of the bottle top. The bottle is filled with liquid nitrogen and the top, with the balloon affixed, is quickly put in place and screwed on tightly. As the liquid nitrogen in the bottle boils, the balloon inflates. When the balloon bursts the noise produced is far greater than would ordinarily be expected, and a fountain of liquid nitrogen and condensing water vapor shoots into the air above the bottle.
More Information
*  Citation
McRae, Robin; Rahn, Jeffrey A.; Beamer, Timothy W.; LeBret, Norm . J. Chem. Educ. 2002 79 1220.
*  Keywords
Demonstrations; Introductory / High School Chemistry; Liquids; Teaching / Learning Aids
*  History
Created:
Last Updated:
August 29, 2002
March 16, 2005
  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2002 > October > Page 1220


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