Submitted by:  Mr. Kaczor’s 6th Grade Science

In a captivating classroom experiment, a group of enthusiastic 6th-grade students embarked on a journey to unravel the mysteries of sublimation. Mr. Kaczor was safely armed with small blocks of dry ice, their mission was to observe firsthand how this unique substance undergoes a phase change from a solid directly to a gas.

The students eagerly gathered around the dry ice, its chilly presence immediately capturing their attention. 

Mr. Kaczor explained, sublimation is a remarkable process where a substance transforms directly from a solid to a gas, bypassing the liquid phase. Dry ice, composed of solid carbon dioxide, was the ideal medium to witness this captivating transformation.

With great care, Mr. Kaczor placed small cubes of dry ice into cups at each lab station. Then adding small amounts of warm water to each dry ice cup, observing the immediate formation of a hazy fog. The sublimation process was underway, as the solid carbon dioxide rapidly transformed into a gas, creating a mesmerizing display.  They decided to take this experiment one step further by capturing this elusive fog in a bubble of soap.

Excitement filled the air as the students noted the unique properties of sublimation. They observed how the dry ice seemed to disappear without leaving behind any liquid residue, showcasing the direct conversion from solid to gas. The fog produced during sublimation provided a visible demonstration of the gas particles escaping into the surrounding environment.

In this hands-on exploration, the students not only witnessed the magic of sublimation but also deepened their understanding of physical and chemical properties. They gained a newfound appreciation for the complex transformations that occur in the world around them, sparking their curiosity to explore further the captivating realm of science.