An alternative for liquid nitrogen and its effect
on objects
By: Diego De La Guerra
Writing for Engineering
February 15, 2023
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Abstract
Liquid nitrogen is known for its extreme low temperature and effect on materials. An
alternative can be used in its place because liquid nitrogen is not always simple to locate. In this
option, liquid acetone and dry ice are combined to create a supercooled liquid that is just as cold
as liquid nitrogen. In order to prove that it can serve as an appropriate alternative, the
temperature of the dry ice combined with acetone was examined to test its ability to freeze
various objects. To do this, pieces of dry ice were placed inside a glass bowl surrounding a
plastic cup with holes, to allow the acetone to freely move inside and out. This was now a bath of
freezing acetone and various objects were placed inside the cup for a few minutes to check its
condition. The results showed that these objects did in fact freeze, just like how they would in
liquid nitrogen.
Introduction
Liquid nitrogen is created when nitrogen molecules are in a liquid condition. With a
temperature of -320 degrees Fahrenheit, liquid nitrogen is recognized as one of the most icy
substances. Liquid nitrogen is dangerous because of its temperature, which can cause it to freeze
whatever it comes in touch with, including living tissue and other materials. Liquid nitrogen is
distinct from other liquids due to its temperature. In the event that liquid nitrogen is difficult to
find, there is another option. By combining dry ice and liquid acetone, we can test to see if it has
the same effects as liquid nitrogen. The dry ice alone has a temperature of -109.3 degrees
fahrenheit and acetone cannot freeze entirely until -139 degrees fahrenheit. Therefore, by mixing
both we can maintain a liquid state with the same temperature as dry ice. By doing this
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experiment, it is believed that when placing various objects into the finished cooled liquid they
will freeze, just like how it would if placed in liquid nitrogen.
Methods/Materials
Dry ice cubes, acetone, gloves, a glass bowl, a plastic cup, a drill, a hammer, a carrot, and a
rubber band ball are all required for this experiment. The plastic cup must first be centered in the
glass bowl by drilling a few tiny holes all the way around it. The acetone will flow in and out of
the cup at this point, keeping room for the objects to be placed within. Secondly, using the
hammer, break up the large chunks of dry ice into smaller pieces and scatter them around the
plastic cup inside the glass bowl. Then begin pouring the acetone around the cup and then inside.
Bubbling should occur. To check if the acetone is cold, place only the tip of your index finger
with the glove inside the cup, and you should see that the glove becomes stiff. Next, grab the
carrot and only place the bottom part into the cup and watch it boil for 1 minute. Repeat this step
with a rubber band from the ball, and then the whole ball itself. After taking the objects out of
the cooled acetone, use the hammer to smash a dry carrot and the cooled carrot to compare the
way it shatters, as well as the rubber band ball. With the single rubber band, pull it apart to check
if it still stretches out easily.
Results
After taking the carrot out of the acetone, the bottom portion was frozen and sounded like metal
after hitting the table a few times. The carrot was shattered as if we were smashing ice cubes into
little pieces. As soon as the single rubber band was taken out, the rubber band broke instantly
after being pulled apart. A rubber brand usually stretches in warm temperatures, but in this case
the rubber band was not able to stretch out easily. Therefore, after taking out the entire rubber
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band ball out of the cooled acetone, the ball was dropped and it sounded exactly like a rock.
However, the smashed rubber band ball was still in its form as a result of how hard it was, with
only small pieces of rubber band being broken off.
Discussion
After testing the objects, we concluded that the combination of dry ice and acetone is an
appropriate alternative for liquid nitrogen. Although liquid nitrogen has more of a low
temperature, the dry ice aided in making the acetone as cold as possible, which froze each object.
There was a significant difference between the objects in their dry stage and after they were
cooled by the acetone.
Conclusion
Overall, this experiment demonstrated the effects of dry ice and acetone on various objects to
prove that it can serve as an alternative for liquid nitrogen. Although liquid nitrogen has a lower
temperature than the dry ice, the objects used in this experiment were still able to freeze in cold
acetone as well. The acetone was not able to freeze to become a solid due to the temperature of
dry ice. This meant it would maintain its liquid state just like liquid nitrogen and still cause the
same effects.
References
The King Of Random. “What Does DRY ICE Do in a Metal Foundry? TKOR’s Best Dry Ice
Experiment: Burn? Melting? Smoke?” 2018, https://youtu.be/a5g6W5a9_Bo