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The Effect of Liquid Nitrogen on a Rose

red rose in liquid nitrogen

 

What happens when a rose is immersed in liquid nitrogen?

Click on the small pictures to view the video. The file will open in a new browser window.

thumbnail of glass tube with liquid nitrogen

Video for Windows

thumbnail of glass tube with liquid nitrogen

Quicktime

The insulated glass container contains liquified nitrogen gas at a temperature of -196 o C. The liquid is boiling because it has absorbed heat from the room, which is around 225 degrees warmer than the liquid.

 

thumbnail of rose in liquid nitrogen

Video for Windows

The rose freezes very quickly in liquid N2.

thumbnail of frozen rose being broken by stick

Video for Windows

thumbnail of frozen rose being broken by stick

Quicktime

The rose becomes as hard and brittle as porcelain and can be easily shattered.

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