Can Crush Experiment

Even small vacuums suck!

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Purpose -

I have used this to show the effects of a vacuum and also when teaching the concepts of liquids vs. gases 

Nature - 

Class Practical

Materials - 

empty soft drink cans, Bunsen burner, tripod, gauze mat, beaker tongs, bucket or sink of cold water

Method - 

· Place about 2 cm of water into the soft drink can

· Place can to heat

· Once water is boiling well fold the paper towel into a sling to enable the hot can to be lifted.

· Quickly invert the can into the cold water making sure the mouth is well under the water.

· Note the quick imploding of the can.

Safety -

Usual procedures with heating.  Students should be made aware of the risks involved with moving containers of hot water very quickly.

Explanation -

As the water boils the vapour fills the tin, forcing air out to make room. When it is immersed in cold water the water vapour in the tin quickly condenses, leaving a vacuum that cannot be filled because the mouth of the tin is below the water.  Air pressure does the rest!

Notes -

Students love this experiment and always want to do more than the number of tins supplied.  I have sent kids out to clean up the school yard, looking for more tins to implode! 

This can be introduced with great style with the Can Crush Demo.