Supercritical CO2 in a Glass Tube?

Cody'sLab
22 Nov 201607:14
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this intriguing experiment, Cody explores the pressure limits of borosilicate glass tubes by attempting to contain liquid CO2. He fills a tube with dry ice to prevent vaporization, seals it, and observes the behavior of CO2 under different temperatures. The video demonstrates the transition of CO2 from liquid to supercritical fluid, showcasing its unique properties as it interacts with water at varying temperatures. The experiment concludes with Cody safely storing the pressurized CO2, providing a fascinating insight into the behavior of this versatile substance.

Takeaways
  • πŸ§ͺ The experiment involves testing the pressure capacity of borosilicate glass tubes.
  • 🧊 Cody uses dry ice to cool the glass tubes and prevent CO2 from vaporizing.
  • πŸ”¨ The process includes sealing the glass tube with dry ice inside to maintain the CO2 in liquid state.
  • πŸ›‘ Safety measures such as gloves and goggles are taken to prevent potential explosions.
  • πŸ“¦ The sealed glass tube is placed in a wooden box and covered with sand to contain any possible explosion.
  • ⏱ After an hour, the tube is checked for remaining liquid CO2, indicating the success of the seal.
  • 🌑 The experiment observes the behavior of CO2 at different temperatures, near the critical point.
  • 🌑️ The critical point of CO2 is approximately 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius).
  • 🌀️ At 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius), the CO2 transitions into a supercritical fluid state.
  • 🌫️ The supercritical CO2 exhibits unique properties, such as the liquid and gas having nearly the same density.
  • πŸ’§ As the tube cools, the CO2 condenses and forms a mist or fog, demonstrating the fluid's behavior at varying temperatures.
  • πŸ” The experiment concludes with the successful storage of liquid CO2, allowing for visible and interactive exploration of its properties.
Q & A
  • What type of glass tubes is Cody using in the experiment?

    -Cody is using borosilicate glass tubes in the experiment.

  • What is the purpose of the experiment Cody is conducting?

    -The purpose of the experiment is to test the pressure capacity of the borosilicate glass tubes and to see if they can hold liquid CO2.

  • How does Cody plan to prevent the CO2 from vaporizing during the experiment?

    -Cody uses dry ice to cool the glass tubes and keep the CO2 from vaporizing.

  • What safety measures does Cody take while conducting the experiment?

    -Cody wears heavy gloves and safety goggles as a precaution against potential explosions.

  • What is the significance of the wooden box and sand in the experiment?

    -The wooden box and sand are used to contain any possible explosion from the glass tube during the sealing process.

  • How does Cody seal the glass tube with CO2 inside?

    -Cody seals the glass tube by an unspecified method, noting that it's not sealed very well, but he hopes it will work for the experiment.

  • What does Cody observe after an hour of waiting for the glass tube to warm up?

    -Cody observes that there is still liquid CO2 left in the glass tube after an hour.

  • What temperature does Cody use for the water bath to test the glass tube with CO2?

    -Cody initially uses water at 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius), which is close to the critical point of CO2.

  • What phenomenon does Cody believe he has observed with the CO2 in the glass tube?

    -Cody believes he has observed supercritical CO2, as the liquid seems to disappear and not boil all the way.

  • How does the behavior of the CO2 change when the water temperature is increased to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius)?

    -At the higher temperature, the CO2 behaves differently, with the liquid appearing to disappear and the gas and liquid densities becoming similar.

  • What does Cody conclude about the safety of the glass tube after conducting the tests?

    -Cody concludes that the glass tube has passed enough tests and is safe enough to store, allowing him to interact with liquid CO2.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ”¬ Experimenting with Borosilicate Glass Tubes and CO2

In this segment, Cody introduces an experiment with borosilicate glass tubes to test their pressure capacity. He fills a tube with dry ice and liquid CO2, aiming to prevent the gas from vaporizing. After sealing the tube, he insulates it with sand to control any potential explosion. An hour later, Cody confirms that liquid CO2 remains inside. He then tests the tube's resilience by submerging it in warm water, observing the formation of supercritical CO2. The experiment showcases the unique properties of CO2, such as its behavior at different temperatures and densities, and ends with Cody considering the tube safe for storage and interaction.

05:06
🌑️ Observing the Phase Changes of CO2 at Various Temperatures

Cody continues his experiment by observing the phase changes of CO2 under different temperatures. He notes the formation of a mist or fog, which is actually liquid CO2 dissolving into the gas or droplets suspended due to the similar densities of the gas and liquid. He demonstrates the tube's safety by pulling it out of the water and allowing it to cool, revealing the reformation of liquid CO2. The video concludes with Cody expressing excitement about storing and interacting with liquid CO2, and humorously uses a glove as a shade while observing a 'little storm cloud' of CO2 inside the tube.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Borosilicate Glass
Borosilicate glass is a type of glass known for its strong resistance to thermal shock due to its low coefficient of thermal expansion. In the video, the experimenter uses borosilicate glass tubes to conduct a pressure test, highlighting their durability by emphasizing the thickness of the glass walls. This material is crucial for the experiment as it needs to withstand the pressure of liquid CO2.
πŸ’‘Pressure
Pressure in this context refers to the force per unit area exerted on the walls of the glass tube by the liquid CO2. The experiment aims to determine the pressure capacity of the borosilicate glass tubes by filling them with liquid CO2. The concept of pressure is central to the video's theme, as it drives the experiment's objective and potential outcomes.
πŸ’‘Liquid CO2
Liquid carbon dioxide, or liquid CO2, is the substance that the experimenter intends to introduce into the glass tubes. It is created by cooling and pressurizing CO2 gas until it liquefies. In the video, the experimenter's goal is to observe the behavior of liquid CO2 under pressure within the glass tubes, which is a key aspect of the experiment.
πŸ’‘Dry Ice
Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide and is used in the experiment as a cooling agent to prevent the vaporization of CO2 gas. The script mentions using dry ice both inside the canister and crushed in a bucket to maintain a cold environment for the CO2 inside the glass tube. This is essential for the experiment to succeed, as it ensures the CO2 remains in liquid form.
πŸ’‘Sealing
Sealing in this context refers to the process of closing the glass tube in a way that it can contain the pressure of the liquid CO2 without bursting. The experimenter discusses the challenge of sealing the tube properly, which is a critical step in the experiment to ensure that the pressure test can be conducted safely.
πŸ’‘Explosive Potential
The term 'explosive potential' relates to the risk of the glass tube bursting due to the pressure of the contained liquid CO2. The experimenter takes precautions by placing the sealed tube in a wooden box filled with sand to contain any possible explosion, demonstrating an awareness of safety in conducting the experiment.
πŸ’‘Supercritical Fluid
A supercritical fluid is a state of matter where distinct liquid and gas phases do not exist, and the substance exhibits properties between those of liquids and gases. In the video, the experimenter observes the transition of CO2 to a supercritical state when the temperature of the water bath is increased, which is a significant finding in the context of the experiment.
πŸ’‘Critical Point
The critical point of a substance is the temperature and pressure at which the liquid and gas phases coexist in equilibrium. For CO2, this point is mentioned in the script as being close to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius). The experimenter uses this knowledge to test the behavior of CO2 under different temperatures, which is central to understanding the properties of supercritical fluids.
πŸ’‘Condensation
Condensation is the process by which a gas turns into a liquid when it cools down. In the video, the experimenter observes the condensation of CO2 as the glass tube cools in the air, forming a liquid layer on the side of the glass. This phenomenon is a key visual demonstration of the properties of CO2 under varying temperatures.
πŸ’‘Safety Precautions
Safety precautions are measures taken to prevent harm or accidents during an experiment. The script mentions the use of heavy gloves and safety goggles by the experimenter, illustrating the importance of safety in conducting potentially hazardous experiments with high-pressure gases.
πŸ’‘Density
Density is a measure of mass per unit volume of a substance. In the video, the experimenter notes the strange behavior of the liquid CO2 as it interacts with the gas, mentioning that the liquid and gas have almost the same density, which affects how the liquid moves and interacts within the glass tube. This observation is crucial for understanding the unique properties of supercritical CO2.
Highlights

Cody introduces an experiment with borosilicate glass tubes to test their pressure capacity.

Uses dry ice to cool the glass tube and prevent CO2 from vaporizing.

Cody fills the glass tube with crushed dry ice to maintain a cold environment for the CO2.

The challenge of sealing the glass tube to contain the pressure is discussed.

A makeshift method of sealing the tube is attempted with uncertain success.

Safety measures, such as using a wooden box and sand, are implemented to prevent potential explosions.

After an hour, the tube is checked for remaining CO2 and its containment integrity.

Observation of liquid CO2 in the tube, indicating successful containment.

Cody demonstrates the tube's safety by submerging it in warm water.

The experiment reveals the presence of supercritical CO2 upon warming the tube.

The behavior of CO2 at different temperatures is explored, near the critical point.

A visual demonstration of liquid CO2 condensing on the glass as it cools.

The unique properties of supercritical CO2 are observed as it neither boils nor forms a distinct liquid layer.

Cody notes the temperature sensitivity of the CO2's phase transition from liquid to gas.

A hair strand is used to illustrate the density similarity between liquid and gaseous CO2.

The experiment concludes with the successful storage of liquid CO2 for future interaction.

Cody humorously uses a glove as a shade while observing the CO2, adding a personal touch to the experiment.

The experiment showcases the fascinating behavior of CO2 in its various states, ending with a 'little storm cloud' effect.

Transcripts
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