Imploding oil can
Although we never think about it, we are all constantly exposed to atmospheric pressure pushing down on us. It is this atmospheric pressure which allows us to turn a completely full glass upside down once we cover it with a piece of glass or flat plastic. This experiment will demonstrate the strength of atmospheric pressure.
You will need:
- A kettle
- Some water
- An empty sealable metal can – square metal car oil cans are ideal.
- Some ice
- A large basin full of water.
- Some kitchen gloves
And last but not least ... a helping hand from an adult.
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Method
It is important that you ask an adult to help you with this experiment. Hot water can hurt you and can cause horrible burns.
Ask the adult to boil some water in a kettle and when it is boiled to pour some of it into the empty metal can.
Let it stand for a bit (and if need be pour in some more boiling water) till you see steam coming out of its opening. Then seal it.
Put a lot of ice and some water into a plastic basin ( just a little – not enough to make the can float).
Using kitchen gloves, carefully put the metal can into the plastic ice-bath and wait.
As the steam condenses back to water and the gas pressure inside the can decreases, the atmospheric pressure will crush the can inwards. Before this, it was kept whole by the pressure of the steam (which had replaced the air on the inside).