Liquid nitrogen

77K or -196°C is the boiling point of liquid nitrogen. Liquid nitrogen is relatively cheap to make and is extensively used as coolant.

The ladle holds boiling liquid nitrogen at -196°C. Moist air in close proximity to the ladle is rapidly cooled, the result being the formation of tiny ice crystals. This gives the impression that the liquid nitrogen is ‘smoking’.

Image: Sascha Meinrath