Can Crushers

Question:
Will a can implode if you heat it up and put it in cold water

Hypothesis:

If a can is filled with a small amount of water, heated to the boiling point and then quickly inverted into a bowl of water, the sudden drop in vapor pressure will result in enough net inward pressure to quickly crush the can.
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Materials: 

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Materials

  • a bowl of cold water
  • hot plate
  • Soda can with a tablespoon of water in it
  • tongs

Safety Procedures

Must wear safety glasses
Must wear gloves
Must use tongs - do not touch hot plate or hot can

Procedure:


  1. Fill an empty soda can with 2 tbsp of water
  2. Place can on stove or hot plate
  3. Wait till the steam come out
  4. Than take the tongs and put the can in the water head first
  5. Watch the can implode!



Special Needs:
Electricity

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The Science behind it

A can is placed on a hot plate until steam rises, the water can be brought to the boiling point where its vapor pressure is equal to atmospheric pressure. The vapor will then push most of the air out of the can. If the can is quickly inverted into a beaker of water, sealing off the opening, the sudden drop in vapor pressure will result in enough net inward pressure to quickly crush the can.




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Conclusions

Charlie Hopper

My name is Charlie, I have a brother and sister. I like to play sports - Football and Basketball and I like to dance to Gangman Style

Dylan Lanza

My name is Dylan and I play airsoft. I practice Judo and I have 2 dogs and 3 cats. I like to play Minecraft.