How Cold is Liquid Nitrogen?

The temperature of liquid nitrogen is -196°C (-321°F) at its boiling point.

For reference, -89.2°C is the coldest temperature ever recorded at ground level on Earth! 

(In Antarctica, unsurprisingly.)

Liquid nitrogen’s extremely low temperature makes it one of the most commonly used cryogenic fluids in various industrial and medical processes, from freeze-grinding materials to preserving biological samples.

This article explores liquid nitrogen’s temperature ranges in more detail. We’ll then cover:

• Liquid nitrogen’s physical properties
• Common use cases
• Safety guidelines to follow

What Is the Temperature of Liquid Nitrogen? Freezing and Boiling Points Explained

The liquid nitrogen temperature range spans between -210°C (freezing point) and  -196°C (boiling point). This scale is relatively narrow, so precise temperature control is crucial when working with liquid nitrogen to ensure it maintains optimal physical properties.

The temperature of liquid nitrogen puts it in a league of its own among commonly used industrial materials. At -196°C, it’s significantly colder than dry ice, which sits at -78.5°C (-109.3°F). Temperature-wise, the closest material is liquid argon with a boiling point of -186°C (-303°F).

Because it is so cold, liquid nitrogen is invaluable across industries where alternatives like dry ice can’t be used. For example, dry ice isn’t cold enough for effective removal of skin abnormalities, which is why liquid nitrogen is a much better choice.

Physical Properties and Behavior at Ultra-Low Temperatures

At its standard temperature range, liquid nitrogen exhibits outstanding physical properties.

Besides being clear and colorless, it has remarkably low viscosity, so it flows even more freely than common substances like acetone.

When it comes into contact with materials at room temperature, liquid nitrogen creates an insulating layer of nitrogen gas that can slow down the cooling process. Nitrogen droplets hover on the thin layer of nitrogen gas, after which they evaporate.

This is known as the Leidenfrost effect, and it creates the characteristic white fog we often associate with cryogenic applications. The exact process is outlined in this image:

When liquid nitrogen boils, it expands dramatically – one liter of the liquid becomes approximately 694 liters of gas at room temperature. Because of this, liquid nitrogen has various uses.

Industrial and Medical Applications of Liquid Nitrogen

The extreme cold of liquid nitrogen makes it useful in many industries, such as:

• Medicine – the low liquid N2 temperature is ideal for preserving biological materials like blood samples and tissue specimens.
• Manufacturing – production facilities leverage liquid nitrogen’s low temperature for many processes (freeze-grinding materials, shrink-fitting metal parts, removing unwanted material through freeze-fracturing, etc.).
• Food production – the food industry uses liquid nitrogen for flash-freezing products to maintain quality and freshness.
• Semiconductor manufacturing – this industry heavily depends on liquid nitrogen’s ultra-low temperature for testing electronic components and maintaining precise environmental conditions during manufacturing processes.

Further Reading: Does Fertilizer Have Nitrogen?

Safety and Handling Considerations

While it enables many uses, liquid nitrogen’s low temperature can pose significant health and safety risks. At -196°C, direct contact with liquid nitrogen can cause serious issues like:

• Severe cryogenic burns
• Frostbite
• Eye damage

This is why personal protective equipment like cryogenic gloves and face shields is essential when handling liquid nitrogen.

Vaporization also brings risks – even one liter of liquid nitrogen can displace enough oxygen in a confined space to cause asphyxiation. Proper ventilation when working with liquid nitrogen indoors is necessary to mitigate this risk.

Finally, storage containers must be specially designed to handle liquid nitrogen’s ultra-low temperatures. Regular containers can become brittle and fail when exposed to such extreme cold, so cryogenic storage tanks and highly insulated cylinders are a safer alternative.

By following these safety guidelines, you can explore the many uses of liquid nitrogen while minimizing the risk of hazards.