Materials Needed
- One empty aluminum can (354 ml)
- A Hot plate (a blow torch will also work)
- Large bowl of water
- Tongs to hold pop can
Procedures
- Put about 5 ml of water in the can (just enough to cover the bottom).
- Using the tongs, heat the can over the hot plate until the water is boiling.
- In one motion, remove the can from the burner and put it in the bowl of water upside down.
- Sink the opening of the can in the water. The can will IMPLODE instantly!
What the Heck Happened!?
Before you heated the can, it was filled with water and air. By boiling the water, it changed states from liquid to gas (water vapor). The water vapor (steam) pushed the air that was inside the can out. By placing the can upside down in water, the water vapor cooled very quickly and slowed the potential rapid flow of air back into the can. The rapidly cooling water condensed the water vapor in the can back to water. All the water vapor that took up the space of the can before turned into a few drops of water, which took up much less space. This caused the pressure to drop and the pressure of the atmosphere pushed on the can, crushing it!
