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Jeff
Though I've never seen it myself, liquid oxygen is indeed blue. An full
explanation can be found here <http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ed042p647>.
The blue color requires two oxygen molecules to collide and absorb a
photon. So, I'm not sure that liquified air would be blue, since the
collissions between oxygen molecules would be more rare due to dilution
with nitrogen. I've not been able to find any hard data on this, but my
guess as a chemist is that liquid air should still be blue, but just much
more pale than liquid oxygen.
Lee
--
scienceminusdetails.com <http://www.scienceminusdetails.com/>
greenchemblog.com <http://greenchemblog.wordpress.com/>
madison.nerdnite.com
On Wed, Jul 11, 2012 at 10:29 AM, Stephanie Kazmierzak - Esler <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
>
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Dear Jeff,
>
> Speaking as someone who has done many liquid nitrogen experiments, I
> don't know how much I would trust those statements. I agree that if I
> were making as statement about 'liquid air', I would want to specify the
> composition of air and list the boiling points of each gas, mentioning
> that in order to make Earth's air a liquid state of matter, we would
> have to get it colder than it's coldest component.
>
> As to seeing it and what it looks like, I believe that I have and you
> may have too- simply get a clear balloon, blow it up, tie it and place
> it in a bowl of liquid nitrogen. Once the gas in the balloon has
> condensed, pull it out with a pair of tongs. You will see a tiny puddle
> in the balloon that was the gas you just put in there. If you were to do
> this for guests, I would suggest using a flashlight to shine through the
> balloon as you are holding it up so that the puddle is more visible.
>
> Good luck with your exhibit!
>
>
> Stephanie Kazmierzak-Esler
> Science Interpreter
> Orlando Science Center
> ph: 407.514.2167
> fax: 407.514.2067
> Inspire Science Learning for Life
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Informal Science Education Network
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jeff Rosenblatt
> Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2012 10:52 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Verifying Facts
>
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
> Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
> ************************************************************************
> *****
>
> I'm trying to verify some facts another department has printed up from
> various internet sources. I can't seem to get past, or find good
> verification, of these two statements:
> 'Air becomes liquid at about minus 190 degrees Celsius.' (for clarity,
> wouldn't a gas composing air need to be specified, like nitrogen at -196
> C) 'Liquid air looks like water with a bluish tint.' (this confuses me,
> as I always thought of air as a 'fluid,' unless this is in reference to
> liquid oxygen or liquid nitrogen) Would anybody print up these
> statements and put them in their science center or museum? Thanks for
> any input.
>
> --Jeff--
>
> Jeff Rosenblatt
> Director, Science City
>
> Union Station Kansas City, Inc.
> 30 W. Pershing Rd. Suite 400
> Kansas City, MO 64108
> Office: 816-460-2218
> [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
>
>
>
>
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