Aluminum can implosion

The water gas molecules will occupy all the space inside the can since the air molecules have been pushed out. The hot gas molecules are the same pressure as the air outside the can. When the can is placed in cold water upside down, the hot gas water molecules are cooled very rapidly. Some of the gas molecules are condensed back into liquid water so there are less molecules of water in the gas phase inside the can. The cold water will also cool any remaining gas molecules, decreasing their kinetic energy and therefore decreases the number of collisions with the walls of the can.

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View all Professional Growth. Classroom Activities on a Budget Feeling the pinch from the current economy? Imploding Soda Cans: An Inquiry Approach Mike Isley Product Developer One of the most popular teacher demos to illustrate the power of atmospheric pressure is to heat to a boil a small amount of water in an aluminum beverage can, then quickly submerge its mouth in an ice water bath.

The activities that follow can be done as demonstrations or in lab groups of 2 to 4 students. Place the can on a hot plate or wire gauze on a ring stand with a Bunsen burner. Make an ice water bath with water and ice. Designate a student to film the next step with a video or cell phone camera. With beaker tongs, quickly invert and submerge the can, mouth down, in the ice water bath.

The can will immediately implode, like the one in the following video. Observe the amount of implosion for each. Have students determine if there is a difference. Empty the water from each can, then determine each of their volumes by filling them with water from a graduated cylinder. Plot the volume of the imploded cans on the y axis verses the temperature of the water in the cans on the x axis. Have students determine if there is a relationship between these variables, and if so, why.

Invert and submerge each of the cans in the water bath at the given temperatures above. Repeat step 4 from Activity 2 above to determine the volume of each imploded can. Plot the volume of the imploded cans on the y axis versus the temperature of the water bath on the x axis. Answers to questions Activity 2 Observe the amount of implosion for each. The can may be hard for an auditorium full of people to see without aide, but they will all hear it.

After waiting for the water to steam, be sure that the audience is watching closely so as not to miss the rapid implosion. Librarians Authors Referees Media Students. Login Become a Member Contact Us. Procedure Put about two tablespoons of water in an empty aluminum can. If one is available, use a can that has already has the word "Crush" on it.