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Carbon Dioxide: Did you ever see the effect of having
dry ice (which is solid carbon dioxide) in a punch bowl at a
party? The dry ice is vaporizing to the gaseous state, as well
as condensing some water vapor in the air to produce a white
fog that sinks in the air. This shows that the carbon dioxide
and cold water vapor are more dense than air. Table
of Densities
Application: Fire extinguisher demonstration - Demonstrations with Density
In this case, the carbon dioxide produced by the vinegar and
baking soda reaction sinks to the bottom of the beaker. In the
process, the air which is less dense is pushed up and out of
the beaker. As the oxygen in the air is pushed out of the beaker
by the denser carbon dioxide, the candles go out one by one.
Application: Floating Flame
In this demonstration graphic ( graphic
in new window ) the first picture shows that the container
is filled with carbon dioxide gas. The white cloud that you see
is condensed water vapor, but carbon dioxide gas is mixed in
as well. In the second picture, the red glow on the bottom is
caused by by red light sticks placed at the level of the gas
delivery jet. The more dense carbon dioxide gas has filled the
container. Natural gas, methane, is less dense than the carbon
dioxide, so it floats to the top of the more dense carbon dioxide.
At the level just above the layer of carbon dioxide, there is
sufficient air and methane to support combustion - so the flame
appears to float on top of the white cloud.
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