We received a delivery at our house, last week. Inside the box was a styrofoam container with some materials that were packed with dry ice. Well, you just can't let an opportunity to play with dry ice pass by, can you? Unfortunately, the delivery occurred at the beginning of an extended weekend, so I couldn't utilize it in the Hoggatteer classroom.
I collected my two children in the kitchen and we did a few quick demonstrations.
I collected my two children in the kitchen and we did a few quick demonstrations.
- First, we used a room-temperature fork from our utensil drawer to make the dry ice vibrate and sing.
- Next, I lit a candle, and proceeded to put out the flame by pouring the gas from a container of dry ice over it.
- Placing the dry ice in a larger container, we added water and a squirt of dish soap. Not only does the dry ice begin to turn to a gas and look spooky and smoky, but the soap makes "smoke"-filled bubbles. Scooping the bubbles out onto our hands, we were able to pop them for an awesome smoky effect, releasing the carbon dioxide therein.
- Finally, I soaped the rim of the bowl and drew a soap-saturated piece of material across the mouth of it. This formed a layer of soap, effectively sealing the bowl and containing the gas. A large bubble formed and grew as it filled with carbon dioxide. When it popped, the "fog" escaped and fell down the side of the bowl.
| | 
|
As we did these things, we were mindful of the dangers of handling dry ice. The stuff is 109 degrees below zero in its frozen state, and as such is too dangerous to handle with bare hands, since it will quickly cause frostbite. It goes without saying that it would also be dangerous to put it into your mouth.
