
Air Pressure and the Collapsing Can
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What happens when you flip a steam-filled can upside down into ice water? You boil a small amount of water inside an empty soda can until steam pours out. Then you quickly flip the can and plunge it into a pail of ice water.
The can crushes inward almost instantly. The steam inside condenses back into water, leaving very little air pressure inside the can. The higher pressure of the outside air pushes the thin metal walls inward.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that the empty soda can, having a lower internal air pressure, will collapse inwards due to the higher water pressure outside the can.
Method & Materials
You will boil water in an empty soda can, then put it in cold water and observe what happens.
You will need a stove, an empty soda can, a packet of ice cubes, a pail of water, and a pair of kitchen gloves.
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See what’s includedResults
The experiment showed that the can was crushed inwards as soon as it was placed in the cold water, proving the hypothesis to be true.
Why do this project?
This science project is interesting because it shows how air pressure and temperature can affect the shape of an object.
Also Consider
Try repeating the experiment with different types of metal containers, or try capping an empty plastic bottle tightly and placing it in the freezer.
Full project details
Additional information and source material for this project are available below.Related videos
These videos explain the science behind this project and demonstrate key concepts used in the experiment.
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