Colorado National Guard Kid Campers Learn About Liquid Nitrogen

​On June 28th, Cool Science visited the Colorado National Guard Youth Summer Camp program.  The pre-teens watched demonstrations of liquid nitrogen at -320°F, which exhibits some really bizarre properties.
 
They were amazed at how liquid nitrogen instantly flash boils when it touches human skin due to the extreme temperature difference.  The gas created by the boiling lifts the remaining liquid and levitates it like a little hover board so that the droplets roll off the skin without harm. After the show the campers made their own ice cream and Dippin’ Dots with the super cool nitrogen.
 
It was clear from the day’s activities that many of the kids were fascinated by the science behind simple physical processes like boiling, freezing, evaporation and condensation, and best of all they got to learn about the science in fun and interesting ways.  Who doesn’t enjoy science when it results in delicious ice cream!

-posted by Joshua