4 Fun Ways to Learn Scientific Concepts with Dry Ice
Thanks to this incredibly low temperature and its many unique attributes dry ice can be used in a multitude of ways – including as a useful tool for creating engaging lesson plans for students of all ages.
When carbon monoxide is frozen, it reaches incredibly low temperatures (-109.3ºF) and becomes a substance known as dry ice. Thanks to this incredibly low temperature and its many unique attributes it can be used in a multitude of ways – including as a useful tool for creating engaging lesson plans for students of all ages.
Volcano
Using a hidden bottle of hot water, you can create a dramatic smoking volcano effect with the help of dry ice. Depending on age level and supervision, the closer to boiling the water can be for a stronger effect. To create the effect, you will simply drop small pieces of dry ice into the container of hot water inside the volcano to create an eruption of steam.
Cloud Chamber
If you’re learning about how clouds work, dry ice can be used to help emphasize and observe the way alpha and beta particles work. Cover the inside of a clear, freezer safe dish, such as pyrex, with black felt or paper. Apply alcohol to one side of a piece of cardboard cut to be just bigger than the top of the dish. The cardboard should be placed, wet side down, over the dish and then the top can be heated with a hand or an iron on a low setting. Finally, put the bowl on top of a slab of dry ice. The temperature differences will cause the alcohol to form a cloud with vapor trails that can be seen when illuminated. Using different types of light sources will make sections more or less visible.
Baking Soda
Every year hundreds of thousands of tons of baking soda are produced to be used in many different processes including baking and cleaning. You can make your own baking soda in the school lab by carefully mixing dry ice with ammonium carbonate, vinegar, and salt.
Comet
Make your own miniature comet to teach students about space! You’ll need about three pounds of dry ice, small plastic bags and a garbage bag, a large bowl, a hammer, gloves, sand, a few drops of ammonia, and water. Use the garbage bag to line your bowl and place about two cups of water, the ammonia, and a few spoonfuls of sand in the bottom. Wearing gloves and with supervision, place your dry ice in layered plastic bags and crush it with the hammer. When you have two cups of crushed dry ice, add the crumbles to your water and stir it until the ice freezes together, using the liner to lift it out of the bowl and form it into a ball. When unwrapped you can set the ball onto a safe surface and watch it fizz out.
Dry Ice for All of Your Needs
Dry Ice Corp is the largest regional supplier of dry ice and related products in the Northeastern United States. Our dry ice is fresh and delivered right to your doorstep. We are happy to help you determine the best way to ship your goods, whether you have a huge amount of cookies or a single pie, and help you select the perfect amount of dry ice for the job. Give us a call at (201) 767-3200 or contact us online for a quote. To connect with us online, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and Twitter.
FOLLOW ALL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WHEN TRANSPORTING, USING OR STORING DRY ICE! DRY ICE IS HARMFUL IF EATEN OR SWALLOWED! IF INGESTED, SEEK MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY! NEVER PUT DRY ICE INTO ANY FOOD, DRINKS OR LIQUIDS THAT MIGHT BE INGESTED BY HUMANS OR ANIMALS!
