Ice Nine and Kurt Vonnegut: Cat's Cradle, 1963

In Kurt Vonnegut's novel Cat's Cradle, the plot hinges on a new solid form of water, Ice IX, which is more stable that liquid water at "normal" pressures and temperatures. Once released into the world at large, it would catalyze the conversion of all liquid water to this solid form - permanently! Some analysts suggest that Vonnegut's brother (who had a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from MIT) might have been the inspiration for this great "catastrophe" novel. Ice IX was not actually discovered until 1968, about 5 years after Cat's Cradle appeared (and fortunately for the world, has no special catalytic properties!).

The written material on this page is © 2004, by Michelle M. Francl, mfrancl@brynmawr.edu. It may be reproduced for use in your individual classroom, e.g. on problem sets, but may not be included in materials intended for sale without the express permission of the author. Last updated 27 October, 2004. This copyright notice must be included when the material is reproduced. Feedback may be sent to the author at the address given.