Have you ever wondered what would happen if we filled a balloon with liquid nitrogen?
Pure nitrogen is in a liquid state at a temperature equal to or less than its boiling temperature, which is 195.8 C at a pressure of one atmosphere. This cold is used in interesting applications such as wart treatment or for cryopreservation. However, Great Thompson, a famous YouTuber known in the cyber nut community as the king of randomHe wondered what would happen if we inflated a balloon with this particular element.
A priori, the reaction to be expected would be the immediate bursting of the globe or the formation of cracks with the intense cold, but the results are actually much more interesting. Because nitrogen has a very low boiling pointThis means that it is able to go from liquid to gaseous state easily, and it is this interesting quality that explains the amazing results that were obtained when carrying out the experience. Here you can see the video.
Will it swell or explode immediately?
The balloon presents a amazing flexibility since it is made of rubber. However, the liquid nitrogen with which it is filled ends up cooling it to leave it stiff and brittle. In reality, there is no easy and safe way to fill the balloon with an element with such characteristics, so the YouTuber, decides to first pour the liquid nitrogen into a thermos that allows it to keep its physical properties intact.
He then inflates the balloon a little with nitrogen gas, and then places it in the thermos nozzle. It is then that the liquid nitrogen begins its transition to the gas phase and the balloon begins to swell and against all odds, rubber does not suffer any kind of immediate rupture.
Beware of liquid nitrogen
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As time passes, the balloon fills up more and more until finally explodes, leaving the remains of the nitrogen it contains everywhere. The balloon breaks into a million small pieces, probably due to the effects of the low temperature of the liquid nitrogen. However, it is important to understand the risks involved in handling these materials when carrying out an experiment like this one.
And it is that due to its freezing temperature, touching the liquid nitrogen directly even if it was only for a second, could surely cause severe cold burns. Furthermore, immersing a limb in a tank with liquid nitrogen can even cause instant solidification and detachment of the submerged limb.
