Q&A for How to Crush a Can with Air Pressure

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  • Question
    What is the purpose of this experiment?
    Meredith Juncker, PhD
    Scientific Researcher
    Meredith Juncker is a PhD candidate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Her studies are focused on proteins and neurodegenerative diseases.
    Scientific Researcher
    Expert Answer
    The purpose of this experiment is to demonstrate phase changes (water to steam) and the effect of unbalanced pressure (steam condensing, causing a vacuum inside the can = unbalanced pressure).
  • Question
    Can we heat the can on a burner?
    Meredith Juncker, PhD
    Scientific Researcher
    Meredith Juncker is a PhD candidate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Her studies are focused on proteins and neurodegenerative diseases.
    Scientific Researcher
    Expert Answer
    Yes. Just be careful to keep it at a lower temperature so you don't melt your can!
  • Question
    Instead of heating the can on a stove, can I put it in the sun?
    Community Answer
    No. It won't be close to hot enough. It would need to be a lot hotter, so it's hot enough to make water vapor.
  • Question
    Can I get the same result by having warm water in the bowl and cold water in the can?
    Community Answer
    No, because the can needs to be able to produce water vapor for this to actually work.
  • Question
    Why do you think the amount of water placed in the can affects the amount the can will crush?
    Community Answer
    The reason that this effects it is because of the amount of water vapor that you produce. With more water you have a higher pressure, so there will be more of a force on the can.
  • Question
    Can you get the same result by putting an empty plastic bottle in the freezer and then running it under hot water?
    Community Answer
    The bottle will expand with the air inside it, so it won't blast like a balloon.
  • Question
    After the can was crushed, why did water come out of the can after being pulled out of the water?
    Community Answer
    The smokey water was pushed into the cold water and the cold water was sucked in the can.
  • Question
    Can I do this with a water bottle?
    Community Answer
    Yes. It works with a water bottle.
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