Cryogenics Lecture Captures Our Students' Fascination For Practical Science

Students from Shells to the Upper Sixth and a selection of Bablake teachers broke off their Open Morning preparations to enjoy an excellent practical lecture from Lancaster University graduate Dr Ed Guise about liquid nitrogen. Miss Sam Holyman (Junior Science co-ordinator) takes up the story:

"While nitrogen makes up about 80% of the air around us, we do not really think about this odourless, colourless gas. However, when it is cooled and condenses, liquid nitrogen has amazing properties.

This element was delivered to Bablake at about -200°C yesterday morning. At that temperature, fruit and plants may be frozen solid, and then be made to smash and shatter! Of course, for all our budding Heston Blumenthal’s, liquid nitrogen may also be used to make instant ice cream, if the nitrogen is stirred together with cream.

We were delighted to welcome cryogenic engineer Dr Ed Guise from Oxford Instruments to deliver his lecture on liquid nitrogen. He definitely captivated our students with his practical demonstrations, whilst explaining some of the science behind cryogenics and his role as an engineer.

The audience was fascinated by waves of liquid appearing to glide across the floor without slowing down as they rapidly evaporated. The interest in Dr Guise's lecture was only stemmed by the arrival of our school buses, although a very good number of enthusiastic students remained to examine or participate in specific demonstrations, such as the freezing of rose petals and a banana."

We are indebted to Dr Guise for his excellent lecture and thank Theatre/ Events Technician Mr Malcolm Wyatt for his assistance.