Sulfur Hexafluoride Experiment

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Sulfur Hexafluoride is an interesting gas, it basically has the oposite effect of helium. It is heavier than air and when inhaled it makes your voice deeper. Does anyone know where to get this stuff?

One more video after the jump.

“Because the gas has a high density (over five times denser than air), it can be poured into open containers, like beakers and fishtanks. Moreover, light objects, e.g. ship-like vessels made out of light wood or aluminium foil containing air inside, can float on the gas.

Sulfur hexafluoride is an inorganic compound with the formula SF6. This species is a gas at standard conditions. SF6 has an octahedral geometry, consisting of six fluorine atoms attached to a central sulfur atom. It is a colorless, odorless, non-toxic and non-flammable gas. Typical for a nonpolar gas, it is poorly soluble in water but soluble in nonpolar organic solvents. It is generally transported as a liquified compressed gas. It has a density of 6.13 g/L at sea level conditions.”

Via: TechEBlog

 

 

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25 Comments


  1. Thats awesome, I have never heard of this before today.


  2. Is it real? I LOVE hovering things.. I want that! 😐


  3. Its not hovering, its floating because the tin boat weighs less then the sulfer hexafluoride and after he pours some of the gass into the boat


  4. Haha this is sweet, i want some


  5. I Want Some!
    Where can I Buy Some Of That Stuff?


  6. Buy your own, from HERE!
    Of course, it’s quite costly…


  7. I think it’s actually possible to drown from that stuff, since it settles in the lungs more than regular air. Any idea how long it would hang around in that container at room temp?


  8. Heavier than air gases present real hazards. Heavier than air gases are often classified as asphyxiates and can cause death by suffocation quickly with little or no warning. Was this done in as classroom?


  9. skazz and dan:
    According to wikipedia, the human lung is so efficient of mixing gases, that most of the SF6 would be gone within a few deep breaths.


  10. Reply to liesofxiii:

    I figured that out. But the gas is invisible which makes it look like it’s hovering.. :p


  11. This is so cool. and if it was not so expensive i would buy some. I have also done this(the voice part) with “green gas,” also known as airsoft gas. I don’t know if inhaling “green gas” is too good for you because it is propane with a different scent (different manufacturer[sp?], different smell). I read up and propane inhaling is NOT good, for prolonged times. But i think once or twice a day is fine, just not in large quantities. Can anyone confirm these health risks?


  12. Lets not get into the healthyness of inhaling things eh?


  13. I wonder how long that gas would remain in that tank. It would have to deteriorate at some point, right? What is the half life? For that matter, does it exist in nature at all?


  14. I’ve also heard of doing it with argon. While it’s not a dense, it’s cheaper and more available.


  15. “How long that gas would remain in that tank?” – Well, assuming that the gas does not deteriorate (at least not quickly) then it should stay in whatever you put it in as long as water would (if the water didn’t evaporate). It’s essentially a harmless gas that behaves like a liquid because it’s so much more dense than air.

    AND I REALLY WANT SOME! Too bad it’s so expensive…


  16. Have to say that inhaling something denser than air is potentially fatal.
    It may be as harmless as water, and behave similarly, but no one has ever
    recommended filling lungs w/ water.

    On the other hand, since it replaces oxygen in lungs, like nitrous, it may
    cause feeling euphoric, like nitrous…

    Hmmm…what’s the going rate on this stuff again?


  17. This is awesome,btw,arent there manual ways of making the gas ourselves ? or arent there any alternatives to that so taht we can make by ourselves ?


  18. !!!!!! ATTENTION !!!!!!!!

    It’s quite dangerous to inhale FS6 without
    pre-loading your lungs with PURE oxygen for
    a period of time before attempting a demonstration.
    Even when done correctly, SF6 should not be inhaled
    repeatedly. Asphyxiation (DEATH) CAN occur if the
    proper protocols are not followed!
    (people usually pass out after multiple intakes.
    Make sure you’re NOT alone if you attempt it.)

    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


  20. Sure, it’s a potent greehouse gas and lasts for thousands of years. The emission of sufficient amounts of SF6 might be one way to avoid the next ice age. I see no reason why it would be any more dangerous than helium when used for stunts like on You Tube. I suppose you could commit suicide if you hooked it up to a face mask. It could be lethal if you released enough of it in a sealed room or a pit, so always make sure you have good ventilation or you may end up eligable for a Darwin award.


  23. My nephew committed suicide this past weekend inhaling helium. I hope the teacher in this video took some time to mention the dangers of inhaling helium, especially from a pressurized tank. I’m not saying it would happen to somebody goofing around at a party, but why take the chance with your one and only body?


  24. Hi Sad Uncle,

    Very sorry to hear about that. Hopefully teachers also tell their students the dangers of the gas.


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