NCSU – Dept.

of Chemistry – Lecture Demonstrations

Gas Law / IMF

Triple Point of Water

Description: Water at reduced pressure reaches the triple point when cooled
with liquid nitrogen.

Materials:

Triple point apparatus (Dab 114) Safety shield

Liquid N2 and insulating gloves Ring stand

Procedure:

For larger lecture halls, project demonstration using document camera.

1. Prior to the demonstration, open the valve on the triple point apparatus
and boil the water for about 15 minutes. Close the valve and cool the
apparatus by placing it under running tap water. When the apparatus is
close to room temperature, invert the flask and place in the ring stand.

2. To protect from implosion risks, place ring stand behind safety shield.
Pour liquid nitrogen into the depression in the flask. After a short period of
time, the water will boil and ice can be observed forming inside the flask.

Discussion: On a phase diagram, the point at which all three curves intersect is
known as the triple point. At this temperature and pressure, all three phases are
in equilibrium. The triple point of water is 273.16 K and 4.58 torr.

Safety: Wear proper protective equipment including gloves and safety glasses
when preparing and performing this demonstration. Perform demonstration by
pouring liquid nitrogen over the safety shield. Wear insulating gloves when
handling liquid nitrogen.

References:

http://sirius.ucsc.edu/demoweb/cgi-bin/?fl_pr_ht-thermo-triple_point

Andrews, L. J. Chem. Educ. 1989, 66, 597. (liquid phase of CO2)

Video:

http://www.maniacworld.com/water-at-triple-point.html