demonstrations:dry_ice_jack_o_lantern
Dry Ice Jack-O-Lantern
Materials: ★★★ Requires materials not commonly found in school laboratories
Difficulty: ★★☆ Can be done by science teachers
Safety: ★★☆ Some safety precautions required to perform safely
Categories: Dry Ice, Special Occasions
Alternative titles: Dry Ice Jack-O'Lantern
Summary
Placing dry ice and water inside a jack-o-lantern creates thick fog that spills out of its carved face, producing a spooky Halloween effect.
Procedure
- Cut open the top of a pumpkin and scoop out the seeds and pulp.
- Carve a face or design into the pumpkin, keeping in mind that fog will sink and flow more easily through the mouth than the eyes.
- Place a plastic container filled with warm water inside the carved pumpkin.
- Add a chunk of dry ice into the water.
- Replace the pumpkin lid to trap the fog so it flows through the carved openings.
- Add more dry ice as needed to keep the fog effect going.
Links
Make a Fogging Jack-O-Lantern - EH Productions Videos:
📄 How to use Dry Ice in a Pumpkin - Baker's Dry Ice: https://bakersdryice.com/blogs/news/dry-ice-in-pumpkin
Variations
- Place a colored light or glow stick inside the pumpkin for a glowing fog effect.
- Try carving different facial expressions or hole sizes to see how fog flows differently.
Safety Precautions
- Always wear gloves when handling dry ice to prevent frostbite.
- Do not touch dry ice with bare skin.
- Use warm water for stronger fog, but avoid boiling water which can splatter.
- Keep children and pets at a safe distance from dry ice.
- Use in a ventilated space since carbon dioxide gas will accumulate.
Questions to Consider
- Why does warm water make more fog than cold water?
- Why does the fog flow downward instead of rising like steam?
- How does dry ice produce fog without turning into liquid first?
- What factors affect how long the fog effect lasts?