How cold is liquid nitrogen?

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Under normal atmospheric pressure, nitrogen can exist as a liquid between the temperatures of 63 K and 77.2 K (-346°F and -320.44°F). Below 63 K, nitrogen freezes and becomes a solid. Above 77.2 K, nitrogen boils and becomes a gas.

Since it is obtained from the atmosphere, liquid nitrogen is inexpensive and is rarely refrigerated. It is kept in insulated containers called Dewars and is allowed to boil away. Since it is boiling, most of the liquid nitrogen used in laboratories and in cryogenics shows is at a temperature of 77.2 K.

Liquid nitrogen looks like boiling water. If you have never seen it, we have a picture of some posted on our site. If you have never seen a cryogenics show, you can borrow a video of one we had at the Lab a few years ago. Request video number 58 - Deep Freeze.

Author:

Steve Gagnon, Science Education Specialist (Other answers by Steve Gagnon)

Liquid Nitrogen

Is there anything colder than liquid nitrogen?

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