Demonstrations with dry ice

By Declan Fleming2024-08-27T06:00:00

A conical flask of yellow liquid bubbles with a heavy white smoke

Source: © Declan Fleming

Explore changes of state and neutralisation reactions with this trio of demonstrations using solid carbon dioxide

Solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) can enhance your teaching in many ways. These three visually striking experiments demonstrate the sublimation of carbon dioxide and a colour-change neutralisation reaction accompanied by cloud-filled bubbles that spill a mist of water onto the desk. The final demonstration compares strong and weak bases and helps explain why indicators are not suitable for titrating weak acids with weak bases. Use them in your lessons with 11–14 and 14–16 year-old learners.

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