Dry Ice Fun - Hands-on Halloween Science

Scientific Concepts, Discoveries, and Nature Phenomena

Dry Ice Properties

• Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide (CO₂).
• It is extremely cold, described as about 110°F below zero (the real-world value is typically around −78.5°C / −109°F).
• When placed in water or drinks, it creates visible bubbling and gas behavior because solid CO₂ sublimates (turns directly into gas).
• Handling note: dry ice loses mass as it sublimates, so timing matters for demonstrations—buy it close to the activity.

Sublimation and Gas Release

• Adding dry ice to liquids (e.g., water, soap, apple juice) causes ongoing bubbling as CO₂ escapes.
• Demonstrations emphasize differences between:
  • Serving while bubbling
  • Waiting until bubbling stops
• This distinction highlights safety/handling and encourages careful observation of the reaction.

Use of Household Chemistry to Visualize Gas

• Soap + CO₂ in a graduated cylinder
  • Soap acts as a medium where released CO₂ forms foam and bubbles that are easy to observe.
• Apple juice + dry ice
  • Cold CO₂ bubbling makes the drink visibly effervescent.
• The subtitles also reference choosing a temperature to produce a “spooky” effect—specifically making the drink cold.

Crystal Bubble Formation (Surface Effects)

• A “final crystal bubble” is created by transferring a bubble solution onto/through a cloth and pulling it across a surface to produce a bubble/crystal-bubble effect.
• This implies surface tension and thin film formation are key to getting the bubble shape.

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Methodologies / Procedures (As Described)

Dry Ice Setup and Timing

• Buy dry ice from a grocery store.
• Store it in a cooler.
• Do not buy it too far in advance: it sublimates quickly, with significant loss over a few hours.
• Example guidance includes buying it the night before to ensure enough remains later.

“Carbon Dioxide in Soap” Bubble Demonstration

1. Pour soap into a graduated cylinder.
2. Add a small amount of dry ice.
3. CO₂ fills the cylinder and creates continuous bubbling/foam.
4. Use the graduated cylinder to help prevent children from reaching into the container.

“Bubbling Apple Juice” Demonstration

1. Add apple juice to a container.
2. Add dry ice.
3. Observe bubbling as CO₂ is released.
4. Do not serve while actively bubbling—wait until the dry ice is gone / bubbling ends.
5. Taste when the drink is cold.

“Crystal Bubble” Demonstration

• Use a cauldron-like container with a cloth carrying the bubble solution.
• Pull/work the cloth across a surface to form the crystal bubble effect.

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Featured Researchers / Sources

• Mr. Cober (repeatedly addressed during the demonstrations)
• Jack (introduces the “secret ingredient”)
• Mrs. Spangler (referenced for a lesson/warning about dry ice warming/opening doors)
• Mark (participates in a described activity)
• Scotty (participates in the apple juice + dry ice activity)
• “Mr C” (addressed as a character; presented as having the same role as Mr. Cober in this context)