- #1
photon
- 125
- 0
If I melt dry ice, can I swim without getting wet?
I'm just curious: What makes dry ice dry?
I'm just curious: What makes dry ice dry?
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the properties of dry ice, specifically whether it can be melted into a liquid form suitable for swimming without getting wet. Participants explore the nature of dry ice, its sublimation process, and the conditions under which it might become liquid.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Conceptual clarification
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- One participant questions if swimming in melted dry ice is possible and what makes dry ice "dry."
- Another participant explains that dry ice can turn into liquid under sufficient pressure and warmth, but this would result in getting wet.
- It is noted that dry ice is solid carbon dioxide and sublimates directly into gas rather than melting into a liquid.
- Participants discuss the density of liquid carbon dioxide and the conditions required for it to liquefy, mentioning specific pressures and temperatures.
- There is a humorous exchange regarding the toxicity of CO2 and its implications for hypothetical plans of world domination.
- A warning is provided about the dangers of CO2 in enclosed spaces and the need for proper ventilation when handling dry ice.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants generally agree on the properties of dry ice and its sublimation process, but there is no consensus on the feasibility of swimming in melted dry ice, as the concept itself is speculative and humorous.
Contextual Notes
Some assumptions about the conditions required for liquefying dry ice and the implications of CO2 toxicity are not fully explored, leaving room for further discussion.
- #2
Janitor
Science Advisor
- 1,107
- 1
Short answer: if you put enough pressure on dry ice, and then warm it up, it will turn liquid--and it would very definitely get you wet, if your body could stand the pressure.
- #3
chroot
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
- 10,266
- 45
Dry ice is dry because it contains no water -- it is solid carbon dioxide. It does not melt into a liquid; it sublimates directly into gaseous C02.
- Warren
- Warren
- #4
Macgyver
- 41
- 0
It is fun stuff! Dry ice expands about 800 times from its solid volume to its gasseous volume at STP. Just another fun fact, the temperature of it is around -109.3 F (-78.5 C).
Check out www.dryiceinfo.com for more info than you probably want.
Check out www.dryiceinfo.com for more info than you probably want.
- #5
Janitor
Science Advisor
- 1,107
- 1
The density of water is around 62.4 LB/FT³ The link provided by Macgiver says the density of liquid carbon dioxide is 63.69 LB/FT³ and its triple point is -69 Fahrenheit and 75.1 PSIA. So if you put about 5 atmospheres of pressue on it, you can get it to liquify at -69 degrees.
- #6
photon
- 125
- 0
So is that what all the white gas is that is emitted from dry ice? Just CO2?
Shucks. There goes my plan for world domination.
- #7
chroot
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
- 10,266
- 45
Don't give up on the world domination plans just yet -- CO2 is in fact very toxic.
- Warren
- Warren
- #8
photon
- 125
- 0
Maybe so, but I'll need a better name for it. Like "Super Killer Inhaling Stuff."
- #9
Michael D. Sewell
photon said:
Please be careful. Discharging a fire extinguisher to put out a fire can displace the air in an enclosed area and lead to you to becoming disoriented or unconscious.
Do not transport large quantities of dry ice in your car without proper ventilation.
-Mike
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