Liquid Nitrogen - Clouds of Fun!

Let's Try It

As cool as this is and as many times as Steve has done it, he always wears safety equipment. Hey, it’s just smart science!
Adding liquid nitrogen to hot tap water will safely make a ton of billowing white clouds. Since the vapor is just water and nitrogen, it’s safe to breathe, too. Notice that after its initial upward rush, the vapor falls because it’s much colder than the air around it.
Sometimes. the special effects folks need a lot of clouds for a scene. With a simple order switch, that can be arranged. Keep in mind, however, that the right safety equipment is called for as well.
The simple switch is adding the hot water to the liquid nitrogen. The reaction is literally explosive! All those water and nitrogen molecules instantly expand to vapor and the huge cloud that results blasts upward.
Notice that, once again, the cloud falls to the ground because it’s colder than the air around it. Because there’s so much of it, the cloud quickly spreads in all directions over the ground, too.

How Does It Work

Nitrogen (N₂) gas makes up about 79% of the air we breathe so it’s a part of your everyday breathing experience. On the other hand, liquid nitrogen (LN₂) is not. Normally, gasses like to fill spaces and spread out into all the tiny spaces available. At normal air pressure, nitrogen becomes a liquid only if the temperature is between -346 and -320°F (-210 and -196℃). Nitrogen can freeze and become a solid at lower temperatures. At “warmer” temperatures, nitrogen boils and becomes a gas again.

Since it is made with atmospheric gasses, liquid nitrogen is relatively inexpensive. in a dish, liquid nitrogen looks like plain boiling water. It’s usually not refrigerated when it’s stored but kept in insulated containers called Dewar [doo-er] jars where it’s allowed to boil away back into the air. Depending on the design of the Dewar, liquid nitrogen can be stored from hours up to a few weeks. Since it is boiling, most liquid nitrogen used in labs and in special effects is about -320℉ (-196℃).

Safety Information

Keep these safety rules in mind when you work (play?) with liquid nitrogen.

Liquid nitrogen will instantly cause severe burns upon contact with your skin Always wear proper safety equipment when handling it to prevent contact with your skin. Avoid breathing the cold vapor. Cover and insulate exposed skin.

Because it boils so rapidly, the change from liquid to gas can quickly generate a lot of pressure. Do not put liquid nitrogen in a sealed container.

Releasing a lot of nitrogen to the air in a closed space reduces the amount of available oxygen. Work with liquid nitrogen in well-ventilated areas only.

Liquid nitrogen containers may collect oxygen condensed from the air inside them. Handle all containers carefully.