What happens when you seal liquid nitrogen in a bottle, then throw thousands of ping pong balls on top?
Some of the liquid nitrogen in the bottle vaporises as it increases temperature causing the pressure in the bottle to go up as a result of the buildup of nitrogen gas. The pressure increased to the point where the bottle could no longer contain the gas, and the bottle explodes. The energy released in the explosion was sufficient to launch the bin and all the ping pong balls high into the air, ripping a hole in the two bins that were trying to contain the explosion!
Filmed as part of Nanogirl's "blow things up, blow things over, blow your mind" live science show for Auckland Arts Festival. Full video available here • Video
Starring Dr Michelle Dickinson and Gareth Baston
17 сен 2024
