Dry Ice Smoke Ring Launcher

How Does It Work

The correct name for your smoke ring launcher is “vortex generator.” The ring of air that shoots out of the hole you cut into the cup is actually a flat, rolling vortex of air. A vortex is generated because the air leaving the cup at the center of the hole is traveling faster than the air leaving around the edge of the hole. That speed difference creates a swirling motion or vertical vortex that can be seen rolling through the air if a little vapor is blown out with it. Tapping the plastic on the cup creates the movement of air needed for a vortex to form and the tapered shape of the cup pushes the moving air together.

But where does the vapor come from? When you drop a piece of dry ice into warm water, the gas cloud you see is a combination of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water vapor. So, the gas you see is actually a cloud of tiny water droplets. In many ways, this activity demonstrates that air occupies space… and the flying vapor rings are an added bonus.

Take It Further

How is Dry Ice Made?

The first step in making dry ice is to compress carbon dioxide gas (CO₂) until it liquefies while at the same time removing excess heat. The CO₂ will liquefy at a pressure of approximately 870 pounds per square inch (4500 cmHg) at room temperature. Once liquid CO₂ is formed, the CO₂ is sent through an expansion valve and enters a pressure chamber. This pressure change causes the liquid to flash into a solid and causes the temperature to drop quickly. About 46% of the gas will freeze into “dry ice snow.” The rest of the CO₂, about 54%, is released into the atmosphere or recovered to be used again. The dry ice snow is collected in a chamber where it is compressed into block, pellet, or rice-sized pieces using hydraulics. It’s complicated but really cool science – really cool.

Can you make your own dry ice? Sure, anything is possible, but it’s not practical (unless you have a huge tank of compressed CO₂ sitting around and lots of extra time and equipment on your hands). For around $2 US a pound, it’s hard to beat the convenience of just purchasing it at the store.

Safety Information

NOTE: Whenever you use dry ice, always be aware of the rules for handling it safely.

• This is not a toy. It’s for demonstration purposes only.
• Use dry ice only with adult supervision.
• Dry ice must be handled using heavy gloves or tongs. It will cause severe burns if it comes in contact with bare or unprotected skin.
• Always wear safety goggles when handling dry ice. The debris and shards are extremely dangerous to your eyes. When tapping dry ice with a hammer, first cover it with a towel to keep the pieces in one place.
• Never put dry ice in your mouth.
• Never store dry ice in an airtight container. As the dry ice sublimates, gas pressure will build and the container will explode. Make sure your container is ventilated or has a loose-fitting lid.
• Do not store dry ice in your freezer. It will cause your freezer to become too cold and the freezer may shut off. On the other hand, if you lose power for an extended period, dry ice is a good way to keep things cold if you can get it.
• In the unlikely event of a dry ice burn, treat it the same as you would a heat burn. See a doctor if the skin blisters or comes off. Apply antibiotic ointment to prevent infection and bandage mild burns.

What is dry ice?

Dry ice is not frozen water – it’s frozen carbon dioxide (CO₂). Unlike most solids, dry ice does not melt into a liquid as the temperature rises, but instead, changes directly into a gas. This process is called sublimation. The temperature of dry ice is –109.3°F (-78.5°C). Dry ice is particularly useful for keeping things cold because of its temperature. Dry ice does not last very long, however, so it’s important to purchase the dry ice you need for these science activities as close as possible to the time you need it. The best place to store dry ice is in a Styrofoam ice chest with a loose fitting lid that allows the CO₂ to escape as the ice sublimates.

Some grocery stores and ice companies will sell dry ice to the public especially around Halloween. Dry ice is typically sold as flat, square slabs a few inches thick or as cylinders that are about three inches long and about a half-inch thick. Either size will work fine for these experiments.

Remember the science when purchasing dry ice. Dry ice in a grocery bag will vanish in about a day. The experts tell us that, depending on weather conditions, dry ice will sublimate at a rate of 5 to 10 pounds (2.3 to 4.5 kg) every 24 hours even in a typical Styrofoam chest. So, again, it’s best to purchase the dry ice as close to the time you need it as possible. Last minute shopping is necessary. If you are planning to perform a number of dry ice demonstrations or have a lot of people involved, purchase 5 to 10 pounds (2.3 to 4.5 kg). A little dry ice does go a long way in these activities.