Creating Floating Liquids: The Science Behind Xenon and Ethanol

🧪Xenon gas is one of the densest and non-reactive gases that can be obtained for experiments like this.

🌡️Sulfur hexafluoride, another gas used in the experiment, is denser than xenon at atmospheric pressure and cheaper.

💧A special liquid mixture made of 75% ethanol and 25% water is able to float on top of xenon gas, creating a unique phenomenon.

⚗️The interaction between xenon gas and the liquid mixture creates clathrates, where xenon gas gets between water molecules and freezes, incorporating xenon gas into ice crystals.

🧴Adding a small amount of mineral oil to the liquid mixture enhances the floating effect, while sodium-potassium alloy and alcohol mixtures struggle to float on the gas.

What is the densest gas used in the experiment?

—Xenon gas is the densest non-reactive gas that can be obtained for experiments like this.

Why was sulfur hexafluoride not used in the final mixture?

—While sulfur hexafluoride is denser than xenon at atmospheric pressure and cheaper, it has certain limitations that make xenon a more desirable choice.

What is the role of the special liquid mixture in creating the floating effect?

—The special liquid mixture, made of 75% ethanol and 25% water, is able to float on top of xenon gas, creating a unique phenomenon.

What are clathrates?

—Clathrates are formed when xenon gas gets between water molecules and freezes, incorporating xenon gas into ice crystals.

Why did sodium-potassium alloy and alcohol mixtures struggle to float on the gas?

—While sodium-potassium alloy and alcohol mixtures were used in the experiments, they did not provide the desired floating effect as the special liquid mixture did.

00:06Cody introduces the video and sets up the experiment.

06:00Cody explains the properties of xenon gas and why it was chosen for the experiment.

13:30Cody discovers that a liquid mixture of 75% ethanol and 25% water is able to float on top of xenon gas, creating a unique phenomenon.

15:40Cody shares his excitement as he successfully creates a liquid that floats on a gas.

17:47Cody experiments with other liquids, such as sugary and alcoholic drinks, to observe their floating properties.

18:28Cody reflects on the possibilities and limitations of creating liquids that can float on gases.