Scienceshow/Cryogenics/Shooting Corks
Overview
editIn this experiment, corks are launched out of a tube using liquid nitrogen pressure.
Safety
editSafety Class
editVery dangerous (Should only be attempted after careful training)
Required Safety Equipment
edit- The show performer: Glasses and Cryogenic gloves
Materials
edit- Corks (real ones, not the plastic ones)
- Tube which is closed on one end
- Hammer
- Liquid nitrogen
Procedure
editPut the liquid nitrogen into the tube. Take a cork and hammer it down the tube. Wait for a while, and the cork will launch itself off.
Alternative methods
editSome people use a plastic bottle instead of a tube. This is more dangerous, because the plastic bottle is less strong.
Dangers
edit- Make sure you always hold the tube while the cork is on (to prevent it from falling over)
- Make sure you always hit the cork only once. If you try to hit it a second time, it might launch itself while you are hitting it, hit the hammer, and fly into the audience.
Other Factors
editThis experiment does not work if the tube is too cold. Never do this experiment twice in a row with the same tube.
Explanation
editWhat's taking place
editThe gas in the tube evaporates, and when the pressure is high enough, the cork is pushed out.
In the real world
editCannon work like this, only instead of evaporation they use a chemical reaction to produce gas.
Acknowledgements
editExperiment developed by Stichting Rino
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- Links to this guide in other languages: English.