DESCRIPTION:
The Air Pressure Can Crusher Experiment
Angela Luo, Seyvonne Ip, Priyanka Potdar
AP Chemistry Per 5 Schnell
5th Grade Science Project

Caution: Experiment should be done under parental supervision!

Background:
Air pressure is all around us, whether we feel it or not. The Air Pressure Can Crusher experiment will demonstrate how air pressure can affect the objects around us. Basically, a soda can is crushed by the air pressure outside of it. At the beginning of the experiment, the air pressure inside and outside the can is equal. Water is put into the soda can and is boiled, turning the liquid into a gas. The gas then escapes into the atmosphere through the opening of the soda can. When the soda can is placed upside down into a bowl of cold water, the cold water causes the gas to cool and condense into a liquid, decreasing the pressure inside the can. The air pressure outside the can is much greater than the pressure inside the can, so it pushes the can inwards, "crushing" the can.

Materials:
-empty aluminum soda can
-hot plate or stove (Caution: Parental
supervision is required when using this.)
-large bowl
-cold or ice water
-tongs

Procedures:
1. Fill a large bowl a little over halfway with ice or cold water, and set it aside for later use.
2. Add a tablespoon of water into the empty soda can, or enough to just cover the bottom of the can.
3. Place the can on a hot plate or stove and bring the water to a boil. You should see steam rising from the soda can.
4. Allow the water inside to boil for 30 seconds.
5. Use the tongs to grab the can near the bottom. In one quick motion, turn it upside down and plunge it into the cold water. Make sure the entire top of the can is immersed in the cold water.
6. Watch your can get crushed!