demonstrations:dry_ice_fog

Dry Ice Fog

Materials: ★★★ Requires materials not commonly found in school laboratories
Difficulty: ★☆☆ Can be easily done by most teenagers
Safety: ★★☆ Some safety precautions required to perform safely

Categories: Dry Ice

Alternative titles: Dry Ice Fog Effects

Summary

Dry ice is combined with hot water in a lidded bucket to generate a thick white fog that spills over the rim and creeps across the floor.

Procedure

  1. Ensure the room is well ventilated
  2. Pour some warm water into a bucket or plastic container.
  3. Add dry ice, and fog is produced that moves downward to the floor.

How To Make The Perfect Fog Effect Using Dry Ice! - Chillistick:


In a giant pool: TechRax:

📄 How To Make A Big Fog Effect - Chillistick: https://www.chillistick.com/user/downloads/Primary%20Science%20Pack%20Experiments.pdf

Variations

  • Compare fog made with hot water versus cold or chilled water.
  • Dim the room lights and shine a flashlight through the fog to show light scattering.

Safety Precautions

  • Adult supervision required; keep students seated and at a distance.
  • Use hot water only after letting a freshly boiled kettle cool for a few minutes to reduce scald risk.
  • Wear insulated or dry-ice handling gloves when loading dry ice.
  • Never seal dry ice in a closed container; use the vented lid provided.
  • Ensure good ventilation; keep doors/windows open during the demo.
  • Do not allow students to touch dry ice; it can cause cold burns.
  • Students must not remove dry ice from the demonstration area.
  • Mop up any condensation on the floor to prevent slipping.

Questions to Consider

  • Why does the fog flow downward instead of rising? (The fog contains carbon dioxide and tiny water droplets, making the mixture denser than air, so it sinks.)
  • What changes if you use cold water instead of hot water? (Less fog forms because colder water provides less heat to drive sublimation and condensation.)
  • Why does the fog look white? (Light scatters from the tiny suspended water droplets, similar to clouds and natural fog.)
  • How could you make an even bigger fog effect safely? (Use slightly hotter water (still below boiling), a bit more dry ice, and maintain ventilation while keeping the container vented.)