The Spangler Effect Hits Our Science Department

The Year 1, Year 8 and Year 12 cohorts have been mesmerised by the sublimation of frozen carbon dioxide (dry ice). Dry ice is especially useful for freezing things due to its particularly low temperature of -78.5 degrees Celsius. Whilst carbon dioxide gas is in fact colourless, dry ice produces what appears to be a white cloud. This is simply because the very cold and now gaseous CO2 molecules actually cause the water particles in the air to condense into small water droplets, producing what appears to be a white cloud. Whilst a block of dry ice would cause frostbite if it were touched, the cloud is in fact at room temperature.  

During Term 1, the Year 8 Science students began learning about the transitions between states of matter, culminating in the concept of density. In Year 1, the students have been investigating how everyday materials can be physically changed in a variety of ways. Throughout the demonstrations, students learned through the use of pH indicators, how subliming dry ice in water causes the water to become more acidic. This is the result of the CO2 molecules reacting with the water molecules and producing carbonic acid, which is the same acid that results in the ‘fizz’ in soft drinks. Other demonstrations included the trapping of gaseous carbon dioxide in detergent producing amazingly large bubbles and the production of a wind vortex.

Steve Spangler from Steve Spangler Science created all of the demonstrations. His life goal is to teach Science to children using safe and amazing demonstrations and both the Year 1 and 8 students were ‘Spanglerfied’.

Mr Josh Danzey, Mathematics and Science Teacher