demonstrations:boiling_water_with_ice
Boiling Water with Ice
Materials: ★★☆ Available in most school laboratories or specialist stores
Difficulty: ★★☆ Can be done by science teachers
Safety: ★★★ Only to be attempted with adequate safety procedures and trained staff
Categories: Heat, Pressure and Fluids
Alternative titles: Lowering Boiling Point with Pressure
Summary
After water is boiled in a sealed flask, the flask is inverted and ice is placed on its base. The cooling reduces the pressure inside, causing the water to boil again at a lower temperature.
Procedure
- Fill a flat-bottomed glass flask with water and bring it to a boil using a hot plate.
- Remove the flask from the heat and immediately seal it with a bung.
- Allow the flask to cool slightly for about a minute.
- Invert the flask and secure it on a ring stand.
- Place ice cubes on the flat bottom of the flask.
- Observe as the water begins to boil again, despite cooling.
Links
Boiling Water Using Ice - mrsciguy:
Boiling Water with Ice - Pueblo Science:
📄 Boiling Water with Ice - MettLink: https://www.metlink.org/experiment/boiling-water-with-ice/
Variations
- Try the experiment at different starting water volumes to compare boiling intensity.
- Relate the experiment to high-altitude cooking by simulating different pressure conditions.
Safety Precautions
- Use heatproof gloves when handling hot glassware.
- Ensure the flask is borosilicate glass to withstand thermal stress.
- Perform the experiment on a heatproof mat.
- Handle boiling water carefully to avoid burns.
- Do not continue boiling the water once the flak has been stoppered.
Questions to Consider
- Why does the water start boiling again when ice is applied? (The cooling reduces internal pressure, lowering the boiling point of water.)
- How does this experiment relate to atmospheric pressure? (At higher altitudes, lower air pressure lowers the boiling point of water, just like in the flask.)
- Why is it difficult to brew tea properly on Mount Everest? (At 330 mb, water boils at about 70°C, too cool to extract flavor effectively.)
- What real-world systems rely on pressure to change boiling points? (Vacuum distillation, refrigeration, and pressure cookers.)
