In
the above video, scientists in France reduce the temperature of elements by
lowering the pressure in a closed system. Starting with water, when the
pressure is reduced H2O boils at room temperature – except, the
temperature of the water itself is actually going down, because all of the
fastest water molecules can escape. The molecules are in fact moving this fast
because the pressure is reduced and they have more freedom of motion.
Applying
the same principle to nitrogen, it is possible to freeze it. Like the water,
the nitrogen will appear to be boiling before it begins to form a solid at
around -211 degrees Celsius. One can also see that the solid nitrogen sinks in
liquid nitrogen.
Finally,
just for show, the scientists form solid CO2 by pouring the frozen
nitrogen onto water. The process itself shows the range of properties elements
have even when they just go through physical changes or chemical ones with the
natural atmosphere.
Submitted by: Jaime Kass
I thought that this video was extremely fascinating. I was particularly interested in the part of the demonstration where they formed solid nitrogen and then solid carbon dioxide. Usually these two compounds exist as gases in earth's atmosphere so we do not know what they look like in there other states. Seeing what solid carbon dioxide was really interesting to me because we do not usually have the opportunity or the means to see what carbon dioxide looks like in that state. The way compounds interact is truly fascinating.
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