DRY ICE LAB

Science takes a preliminary look at basic elements and chemical reactions. Engaging students in visual and interactive activities helps them get a better understanding of what is happening.

































Dry ice offers an ideal opportunity to experiment with differing forms of a substance due to changes in temperature or chemical reactions. There are many simple experiments using dry ice that students can perform; however, be sure to always use gloves or tongs when handling dry ice.





Students can witness this transformation with a simple experiment using dry ice and regular ice. Regular ice is made by freezing water. Dry ice is made by freezing carbon dioxide. While water is a liquid, carbon dioxide is a gas.





The change in temperature from the water is causing the ice to melt back into carbon-dioxide gas and water vapor. The carbon dioxide and water vapor will make a smoke that seems to pour out of the jar.









Normally, when you see smoke it appears to rise into the air; however, in this case, the smoke pours over the side of the jar and down. This downward motion is caused by the density of the carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is denser than the air around us, so it sinks below the air.







The heat from the spoon is causing the ice to turn to gas. As the gas comes off the ice it puts pressure on the spoon, causing it to quiver so quickly that you cannot see it; however, this quivering makes a squeaky noise.