Physics department hosts "Welcome Back" liquid nitrogen ice cream party Aug. 28

The Department of Physics will host a liquid nitrogen ice cream party for physics majors and students interested in studying physics on Friday, August 28 at 4 p.m. in the Gottwald Science Center's first-floor physics wing.

In 1994, when Scientific American published an article that included a range of scientific recipes, including one for liquid nitrogen ice cream, scientists sat up and took notice. They knew experimentation with large quantities of gaseous chemicals could be fun, but they’d never considered that they could also be delicious.

One little article and a surprisingly simple recipe and the Department of Physics’ Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Socials were born. Physics students and professors gather regularly to concoct large pots of creamy goodness and share scholarly conversation in a relaxed atmosphere.

“The socials are particularly great for students who are still considering declaring a physics major,” said Con Beausang, a physics professor and the department chair. “Students get the chance to talk with physics majors and professors about the types of things they’ll be learning in more advanced classes and about potential career paths and graduate school options.”

Wondering what goes into the pot? Only milk, heavy cream or half and half, real vanilla (or other flavoring), sugar and, of course, lots of liquid nitrogen.

Posted August 19, 2009