Dry Ice Snow Quips and Tricks
Dry ice snow occurs through both manufacturing and naturally, and has many practical uses.
Dry ice is a fantastic material for school experiments and is a substance that may never truly cease to amaze. It is used residentially and commercially in many ways, from science experiments to shipping food to cleaning medical equipment. However, dry ice does not always come in block, pellet, or slab form. It can also come as snow. Below are some dry ice snow quips and tricks.
How Dry Ice Is Made
Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide. Manufacturers create dry ice by pressurizing carbon dioxide gas into a liquid and then its solid form. They then take the “snow” and pack it into blocks through tremendous pressure. These blocks are kept in cold temperatures to prevent the carbon dioxide from sublimating (turning directly back into gas.)
Dry Ice Snow on Mars
Carbon dioxide is a natural part of our world, and also a natural part of outer space. The ice caps on Mars consist of dry ice, and in colder seasons, scientists can see more of it on the planet’s surface. In 2012, scientists discovered that the 2006-2007 Martian winter had brought carbon dioxide snowfall to its south pole. Meanwhile, its north pole received snowfall made of water ice, like earth’s snow.
Dry Ice Snow on Earth
In 2013, Antarctica reached -135 degrees Fahrenheit, which raised an important question. Could earth produce dry ice snow out of thin air? Frozen CO2 is -109.3 degrees F after all, so perhaps the earth could generate the substance when temperatures dropped that low. However, temperature is only one factor in creating solid carbon dioxide. The atmospheric pressure must also be large enough to condense the molecules into their solid form. Therefore, earth most likely cannot produce dry ice by natural means.
Dry Ice Uses
Even so, there are countless dry ice experiments one can enjoy. One can create dry ice bubbles, fog, and much more. You can even demonstrate the composition of a comet with dry ice, water, dirt, and other ingredients. If you experience a power outage, dry ice is your go-to product for keeping your perishables frozen. In the summer, you can use it to keep away mosquitos and create fizzy drinks and fruits.
Dry Ice For All 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, Pinterest, and Twitter.
