Dry Ice Bomb - Dry Ice Experiments

Dry ice bombs are illegal in many jurisdictions. But the dry ice I want to show you is an easy science experiment which will teach kids the danger of the dry ice bomb with a safe small demonstration.

Age: 5+         Time: <10min

 Safety 

1. Beware of frostbite.
2. Not to aim at people when shooting.
3. Adult supervision.

 Materials List 

• Plastic bottle
• Dry ice
• Warm water
• Cork
• Cotton gloves

 Instruction 

Step 1/3 – Add warm water to the plastic bottle, about 1/5 full.

Step 2/3 – Put on the gloves before you put the dry ice in the bottle.

Step 3/3 – block the mouth of the plastic bottle with the cork then point the bottle to the open air. (Don't aim at people)

 Troubleshooting 

 Why didn't I pop out?
— Maybe the cork does not completely block the bottle mouth and the air is leaking, or the cork is too firmly stuck in. ( This is very dangerous.)

 Scientific Description 

Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide which is the gas under room temperature. The dry ice will sublimate into carbon dioxide under the room temperature. The dry ice in the plastic bottle sublimates into the carbon dioxide gas. With the increase of carbon dioxide, the pressure inside the bottle increases and eventually push the cork out. The warm water is used to accelerate this sublimating process because this process needs heat.

 Extensions 

Instead of dry ice, we can use the vinegar and baking soda to produce carbon dioxide gas to push the cork out.

Interested in dry ice?    Check our Cool Dry Ice Experiments for Kids to explore more about dry ice. Let's get started with this cool dry ice explore journey now!