Liquid Nitrogen Cannon, PIRA#

Location:

• Cabinet: Thermodynamics Cabinet

• Bay: (A5)

• Shelf: #1

(attachment photo showing the fully set up demonstration)

Description:

Liquid nitrogen is poured into the nitrogen cannon and the a cork is pounded on top of the cannon to hold in the nitrogen molecules. Finally, the liquid nitrogen builds up enough energy in the cannon to shoot a cork across the room.

Setup:

1. Make sure that you have the liquid nitrogen in the dewar.

Cautions, Warnings, or Safety Concerns:

1. Point away the cannon from people.
2. Please wear a safety grove to prevent contacting the liquid nitrogen by accident.

Demonstration:

This demonstration shows how most things expand when they get hotter. In this case, it is the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_nitrogen liquid nitrogen](The normal temperature is −196 °C or −321 °F) which expands when they touch a hotter surface which is the cannon surface. You can show student by pouring some liquid nitrogen into the cannon. Pound in cork with the hammer. Point the cannon away from people. Liquid nitrogen will spill, vaporize due to it touches the hotter surface of cannon. When the pressure becomes great enough, the cork will shoot out. Boom!

References:

1. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_nitrogen Wikipedia]

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