Dichloromethane (Laboratory Use)
$30.54
Dichloromethane: Child’s Play?
Dichloromethane is commonly used in both industrial and research settings during purification and extraction reactions and as a solvent. However, this is not its only use! Despite a somewhat darker side – as a potentially carcinogenic compound – it’s commonly used in a Chinese toy called the drinking bird.
This “bird” is composed of two containers – the head and the body – linked through a tube. When it’s working, the bird can “drink” water from a cup by tipping its head up and down. At first sight, it may seem a perpetual motion machine, but in fact it relies on a temperature gradient between the head and the body as a source of energy.
The toy can be activated by starting the tipping motion. As dichloromethane from the head evaporates, the heat of vaporisation causes a drop in temperature, which in turn causes this compound to condense. As a consequence, this higher pressure sucks dichloromethane from the body to the head, eventually causing it to be top heavy and dropping down. The same effect now operates in the body and as the dichloromethane’s vapour starts rising, it can return the bird to its original head-up position and the cycle starts again.
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If you would like to open an account with us, please contact a member of our sales team. They will be glad to help before, during and after your purchase to ensure our products meet your expectations. All our chemicals come with 100% quality guarantee and are usually shipped within 24 hours.
Dichloromethane: Child’s Play?
Dichloromethane is commonly used in both industrial and research settings during purification and extraction reactions and as a solvent. However, this is not its only use! Despite a somewhat darker side – as a potentially carcinogenic compound – it’s commonly used in a Chinese toy called the drinking bird.
This “bird” is composed of two containers – the head and the body – linked through a tube. When it’s working, the bird can “drink” water from a cup by tipping its head up and down. At first sight, it may seem a perpetual motion machine, but in fact it relies on a temperature gradient between the head and the body as a source of energy.
The toy can be activated by starting the tipping motion. As dichloromethane from the head evaporates, the heat of vaporisation causes a drop in temperature, which in turn causes this compound to condense. As a consequence, this higher pressure sucks dichloromethane from the body to the head, eventually causing it to be top heavy and dropping down. The same effect now operates in the body and as the dichloromethane’s vapour starts rising, it can return the bird to its original head-up position and the cycle starts again.
Open an Account With ReAgent
If you would like to open an account with us, please contact a member of our sales team. They will be glad to help before, during and after your purchase to ensure our products meet your expectations. All our chemicals come with 100% quality guarantee and are usually shipped within 24 hours.
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