Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2026

Achieving Moderate Pressures in Sealed Vessels Using Dry Ice As a Solid CO2 Source
Published on: August 17, 2018
Concentration of CO2 over melting ice oscillates
S Usharani1, J Srividhya, M S Gopinathan
1Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600 036, India and Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facility, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600 036, India.
Abstract:
We report that the concentration of CO2 over melting ice oscillates as long as water and ice coexist. A phenomenological model involving melting of CO2 containing ice leading to its release, readsorption of the vapor on ice, and dissolution in water is proposed. Thermokinetics of these processes lead to nonlinearity of the dynamics. This phenomenon is also observed over impure ice contaminated with salts or in the presence of nitrogen or air. Oscillations have been observed in several other solute or ice-water systems.
Related Concept Videos
Phase Diagrams
Phase Transitions: Melting and Freezing
Phase Transitions: Sublimation and Deposition
Freezing Point Depression and Boiling Point Elevation
The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which its vapor pressure is equal to ambient atmospheric pressure. Since the vapor pressure of a solution is lowered due to the presence of nonvolatile solutes, it stands to reason that the solution’s boiling point will subsequently be increased. Vapor pressure increases with temperature, and so a solution will require a higher temperature than will pure solvent to achieve any given vapor pressure, including one...
Freezing Point Depression and Boiling Point Elevation
Turbulent Flow: Problem Solving
Temperature is a key factor in CO2 solubility. In this case, the CO2 gas and the liquid are cooled to 20°C. Lower temperatures enhance...

