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Liquid nitrogen

Ladle of liquid nitrogen.

77K or -196°C is the boiling point of liquid nitrogen. Liquid nitrogen is relatively cheap to make and is extensively used as coolant.

The ladle holds boiling liquid nitrogen at -196°C. Moist air in close proximity to the ladle is rapidly cooled, the result being the formation of tiny ice crystals. This gives the impression that the liquid nitrogen is ‘smoking’.

Image: Sascha Meinrath

Glossary

Rights: Sascha Meinrath
Published: 2 February 2018Size: 98.42 KB
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