Scienceshow/Cryogenics/Shooting Corks

Overview

In this experiment, corks are launched out of a tube using liquid nitrogen pressure.

Safety

Safety Class

Very dangerous (Should only be attempted after careful training)

Required Safety Equipment

• The show performer: Glasses and Cryogenic gloves

Materials

• Corks (real ones, not the plastic ones)
• Tube which is closed on one end
• Hammer
• Liquid nitrogen

Procedure

Put 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

Some people use a plastic bottle instead of a tube. This is more dangerous, because the plastic bottle is less strong.

Dangers

• 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

This experiment does not work if the tube is too cold. Never do this experiment twice in a row with the same tube.

Explanation

What's taking place

The gas in the tube evaporates, and when the pressure is high enough, the cork is pushed out.

In the real world

Cannon work like this, only instead of evaporation they use a chemical reaction to produce gas.

Acknowledgements

Experiment developed by Stichting Rino

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• Links to this guide in other languages: English.