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Cooling by Boiling | Te Whakamātao Mā te Paera

Introduction

Abstract
Water in a vacuum jar boils even though it is below room temperature. As the pumping proceeds, the water cools.

Principles Illustrated
The molecules of water in the liquid have varying amounts of energy. The most energetic are able to leave the liquid and enter the vapour. As these are pumped away, the average energy of the molecules left behind in the liquid decreases. This is seen as a reduction in the temperature of the liquid.

Content

Video

English version

Te Reo Māori Version

Instructions

This demonstration works well in a large lecture theatre with a video camera pointed into the vacuum jar and connected to a data projector.
Note: This demonstration can wreck your vacuum pump by contaminating the oil with water. Use an old one if possible and change the oil after finishing the demonstration. Be sure the cold trap is in place and cold (use Liquid Nitrogen) or you may ruin the pump.

VacPump Boils Water Cold Boil Sketch
Diagram of the apparatus.
VacPump Boils Water Apparatus Diagram
Pumping causes boiling that results in cooling the water.
VacPump Boils Water Apparatus Diagram
Pumping causes boiling that results in cooling the water.
VacPump Boils Water Cold Trap
Cold trap.
VacPump Boils Water Cold Trap
Cold trap after experiment.

Other Information

Safety

Be sure to use a sturdy vacuum jar and wear goggles. Also, wear goggles when using the syringe as the top can pop off if the handle is released suddenly.
Individual teachers are responsible for safety in their own classes. Even familiar demonstrations should be practised and safety-checked by individual teachers before they are used in a classroom.

You can do something quite similar with a syringe full of warm water. Pull the syringe back hard and watch the water boil. See also our frozen nitrogen demonstration.

Notes, Applications, and Further Reading

This is an example of the results. Contact us if you want the data

VacPump Boils Water Data
Example of the results.
VacPump Boils Water Data
Example of the results.

Credits

This teaching resource was developed by the Te Reo Māori Physics Project with support from