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General Physics Science Fair Project

Air Pressure and the Collapsing Can

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Air Pressure and the Collapsing Can | Science Fair Projects | STEM Projects
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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Results

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.

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