Liquid Nitrogen

extreme cold · chemistry · cooling

Incredibly Cold Liquid. Liquid nitrogen is so cold that it boils at negative 196 degrees Celsius, which is colder than Antarctica's coldest days. At that temperature, it's still a liquid instead of a gas, which is pretty unusual.

Thin and Runny. Liquid nitrogen flows like water or even thinner, with a thickness about half that of acetone. This makes it easy to pour and spread, which helps it cool things down quickly.

Made from Air. Scientists create liquid nitrogen by taking regular air and cooling it down so much that it turns into a liquid, then separating the nitrogen from the other parts. This happens in special factories using a process called fractional distillation.

Super Powerful Coolant. Liquid nitrogen is used all over the world to freeze things really fast, like preserving food, cooling superconductors, and even medical treatments. Its extreme cold makes it one of the most effective cooling liquids we have.