Hooked on Science: Collapsing soda can

It's around us, but we don't notice it until it changes. We're talking about air and using a few materials from around the house you can see what happens when you remove the air from inside a soda can.

Materials

* Empty soda can

* Hot plate

* Bowl

* Water

* Ice

* Tongs

Instructions

STEP 1: Fill the bowl with ice and water.

STEP 2: Place 1 tablespoon of water into the empty soda can. Turn the hot plate on high and place the soda can on the hot plate.

STEP 3: Once the cloud of condensed vapor appears above the can use the tongs and grasp the can. Quickly flip the can and dip the can into the cold water.

Explanation

When the can was turned upside down and submerged into the water, the water inside the can condenses and the pressure is reduced. Now that the air pressure on the outside is stronger, the can is crushed.

Jason Lindsey is a science outreach educator with Hooked on Science. Check out his website, www.hookedonscience.org, for webcasts and experiments that might get you hooked on science. Send him your science questions at jlindseyhookedonscience.com. More science experiments can be found at www.semissourian.com.