What would happen if you brought a deodorant can to 0 Kelvin

  • Level: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Ben70
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Kelvin
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
5 replies · 2K views
Ben70
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Not an experience physicist but just curious as to what would happen.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi Ben
welcome to PF :smile:

Ben70 said:
Not an experience physicist but just curious as to what would happen.

I'm assuming you are referring to an air/other gas pressurised can ?

any particular reason why you chose a deodorant can ?Dave
 
First off, you can't bring anything to 0K actually, as it is an unachievable temperature.
But, getting very close to it, at some point the propellant gas would become liquid, and even colder it would solidify.
 
Thanks for the warm welcoming Dave :oldsmile:, chose a deodorant can at random to be honest, no perticular reason.

@rumborak Thanks for the answer, never knew that 0k was unachievable.
 
Ben70 said:
what would happen

I wouldn't spray it on me, that's for sure! :oldsurprised:
 
You cannot get down to 0 K, okay ? Very best tech can reach pico-Kelvins, but even liquid nitrogen, which boils at 77 K (−195.8°C or −320.4°F) will have *interesting* effects.

Um, is this deodorant a 'pump action' version, or 'propellant' driven ? Does label warn against fire, likely an alkane mix ?? Or is it a rare (?) CO2 'bag in can' model ?

Whatever, the 'carrier' solvent will soon freeze solid. Any 'propellant' vapour will later freeze, too. If a plastic container, it may hit 'plastic transition temperature' somewhere below -20°C (-4°F) and become very, very brittle. If an aluminium alloy, it may become embrittled, but I don't know the metallurgy. Certainly, the pump / seal / valve assembly will suffer, may leak when thawed. Anything from 'fizz' to 'FWOOSH', potentially lethal if flammable...

Don't try this at home.