LLESSON DESCRIPTION:
Liquid nitrogen is the same chemical that is found in the air....however it must be cooled to a spectacular -320 degrees Fahrenheit before it will reach its liquid state. Using liquid nitrogen to cool things rapidly some very peculiar things happen:, gases shrink in volume; things that usually bounce don’t; and many normally resilient things shatter easily including hot dogs, tennis balls, bananas and flowers.

TIME REQUIRED: 30-60 Minutes

OBJECTIVES:
Demonstrations with liquid nitrogen provide an excellent opportunity to discuss:

1. different ways of measuring temperature (Fahrenheit, Celsius, Kelvin),
2. states of matter,
3. properties of gasses,
4. properties of liquids,
5. chemicals that are formed with Nitrogen,
6. cryogenic liquids,
7. thermal expansion and contraction, and properties of elastomers.

FACILITIES REQUIREMENTS:
Indoors or outdoors, requires table space.

SAFETY:
This is a demonstration only experiment. The Rock-It Science instructor is only person allowed to be in close proximity to the liquid nitrogen. A safety zone is set up to keep the students at a safe distance from the liquid nitrogen.

CALIFORNIA SCIENCE STANDARDS ALIGNMENT

Kindergarden: 1st Grade: 2nd Grade: 3rd Grade: 4rth Grade:   5th Grade: 6th Grade: