Paramagnetism of Liquid Oxygen, 5G30.20

Topic and Concept:

• Magnetic Materials, [:MagneticMaterials#ParamagDiamag: 5G30. Paramagnetism and Diamagnetism]

Location:

• Cabinet: [:MechanicsCabinet:Mechanic (ME)]

• Bay: [:MechanicsCabinetBayA1:(A1)]

• Shelf: #1,2,3..

attachment: mainPhoto

Abstract:

Liquid oxygen is trapped in a strong magnetic field until it evaporates.

Important Setup Notes:

• This demonstration requires a 24 hour notice.

• This demonstration requires about 1 L of liquid N2.

Setup and Procedure:

1. Fill the bottle with liquid nitrogen.
2. Pre-cool the small dewar by pouring in about 200 mL of liquid nitrogen.
3. Allow the nitrogen to stop boiling, and then pour it out.
4. Lower the bottle into the dewar. After 20 minutes, about 50 mL of liquid air will have condensed in the small dewar.
5. On the higher side of the steel channel relative to the magnets, pour the liquid air into the channel.
6. The oxygen component of the liquid air will be trapped in the magnetic field while the rest runs off.

Cautions, Warnings, or Safety Concerns:

• Exercise great care when handling the liquid N2 - it can cause severe frost bite!

• NEVER put a cap on the container containing the liquid N2! Doing so would create a very DANGEROUS device that will explode sending shards of plastic into the audience.

Discussion:

Discuss the physics behind the demonstration, explaining some of the various steps of the demonstration when appropriate.

Videos:

• [http://youtu.be/UfYExGQrkwM The Paramagnetism of Liquid Oxygen, 5G30.20]

• [https://www.youtube.com/user/LectureDemostrations/videos?view=1 Lecture Demonstration's Youtube Channel]

References:

• [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramagnetism Paramagnetism - Wikipedia]

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_oxygen Liquid Oxygen - Wikipedia]

[:Instructional:Home]