The Composition of Casper- Freezing Fog (Halloween Special)
Channel: New York Hall Of Science
Date: 28/10/2017

Happy Halloween from NYSCI!

Halloween is the coolest time of year! It gives everyone a chance to mask their every-day identities to become a new character. A masquerade that blankets everything for one night. From fairies to werewolves, anything you can imagine comes alive. So, on this momentous night you choose to be lazy, wearing oldest bed sheet you can find in the hamper.
JOHN
What?
MARY
It smells like old pizza and toenails.
JOHN
My two favorite things.
MARY
Let's just get going, I don't want to be late for the party.
MARY
Not to mention, it’s not even scientifically accurate.
JOHN
What does that mean? Ghosts aren't something you can just explain with science.
MARY
I know that but think about it, what if ghosts were real; what would they be made out of?
JOHN
If they were real?
MARY
I’m serious. If we think of the signs which categorize a haunting, I bet we can link it to events with certain scientific anomalies.  
JOHN
English, Mary.
MARY
Starting off... a ghost for the most part is translucent- a being with no defined form and has the ability to move throughout an environment never affected by any physical obstructions that it encounters.  
JOHN
Like if there's a tree in its way, it can just go through the tree right?
MARY
Precisely, but this ability isn't found in any living being which possess a physical body. So we need to think beyond lifeforms to something that surrounds us almost constantly, gas.
JOHN
I wouldn't say constantly, I mean maybe on Taco Tuesday, but…
MARY
Not that type of gas, John! The gas I’m thinking of involves water vapor and is called fog.
JOHN
Fog, interesting.
MARY
Yes, fog, through a process of the liquid molecules close to the ground rapidly cooling and condensing, a mass of visible condensation is formed. This fog, like air, is shapeless and can move about in an unobstructed type of way. Also the translucidity of a ghost can be also explained by the thickness of fog, for example mist which is a less condensed type of fog is almost see through, while a thick fog can block your sight to just a couple of inches in front of you.  
JOHN
Wow, that does match a ghost but what about the other thing a ghost can do, like changing the air temperature, moving objects and stealing people's breath.    
MARY
Well, believe it or not fog can do all of these things and more. Let's start with changing air temperature, there a specific fog which is known for its chilling properties called freezing fog. Freezing fog happens when the water droplets that composes the fog are "supercooled." Supercooled water droplets remain in the liquid state until they come into contact with a surface upon which they can freeze. As a result, anything that freezing fog comes into contact with will become wintry, even leaving an icy coat on whatever crosses its path.
JOHN  
Supercooled, freezing fog sounds more supernatural to me.
MARY
Nope, it's a naturally occurring event that causes a drastic visual  and physical change, enough to not only turn your breath milky white but also send a chill straight up your back.  Now that I’ve explained freezing fog it's pretty easy to link the other two “paranormal” signs you mentioned.
Take for instance shortness of breath when in the radius of a phantom. This can be linked directly to the intense coldness present when surrounded by freezing fog. It’s quite common for cold air to cause minor to serious spasms a person's lung airways, making it harder to breathe.
JOHN
I never knew cold air could be so dangerous!
MARY
Listen, for the most part the average person should be fine but it wouldn't be uncommon for someone to encounter shortness of breath if it was cold enough, especially if that person was frantically nervous due to a “ghostly encounter”.
MARY
We finally made it! I heard there are going to be some awesome Halloween-themed exhibits tonight.
JOHN
Alright, alright… but  before we go, what about a poltergeist!? Your Freezing fog can’t simple pick up a chair and throw it across the room. That has to be an act of the paranormal!    
MARY
Listen John ever heard of a thing called wind.
JOHN
Well duh, who hasn't felt the wind blow on them once in awhile.
MARY
Precisely, remember all gases including freezing fog travels with in the air. Now when air pressure constantly changes, wind occurs. The physical force of wind meaning its strength  depends on its flow velocity also know as its speed. So with record wind speeds at 231 miles per hour, wind has enough force to knock over a house, a minivan  and yes, John, a chair, as well.
JOHN
Well, I got to give it to you Mary. You really put up a good argument on ghosts being freezing fog but I have to still disagree.
MARY
To each his own. Come on John I’m starting to get a chill out here.
MARY
Come on John, not funny. 

Crew:
Writer, Director & Producer: Brandon Palmieri   
Talent A: Stephanie 
Talent B: David
Music: Bensound.com