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What does dry ice do to a cloud?

Published in Dry Ice Clouds 2 mins read

Dry ice, when placed in water, creates visible clouds consisting of condensed water vapor. The cloud formation you observe isn't from the dry ice itself (solid carbon dioxide sublimating), but rather from the water vapor already present in the surrounding air.

Here's a breakdown of how this happens, incorporating information from the provided reference:

  • Sublimation: Dry ice (solid CO2) sublimates, meaning it transforms directly from a solid to a gas (carbon dioxide) without becoming a liquid. This process absorbs heat from the surroundings, significantly cooling the air and any water vapor in it.

  • Condensation: As the water vapor in the surrounding air cools, it condenses into tiny liquid water droplets or ice crystals. These droplets or crystals are what form the visible "cloud." According to the reference, these clouds are already visible in the bubbles formed when dry ice is placed in water.

  • Source of Water Vapor: The water vapor that forms the cloud comes from the very water in the container where the dry ice is placed, as noted in the reference from the slow-motion video analysis.

In summary, dry ice doesn't create the water that makes up the cloud; it simply cools the existing water vapor, causing it to condense into a visible cloud. The cloud you observe is the result of this condensation process.