Air pressure is something most of us take for granted. But what if we remove or lower it significantly, what then? Everything changes! This is an update on a classic demonstration, showing how air pressure can smash a can instantly—and since soda cans are plentiful, you can do this over and over. Heat up a little water in the can and invert in into a bowl of water and BANG! The air pressure crushes it almost instantly. Tips are given to help you manage this activity with students.
Use this to learn and reinforce answers to questions such as:
❑ How much pressure does air exert?
❑ How can we show air's pressure?
❑ How does temperature affect air?
Once students work through the activity, they can capture their observations using the included Lab Notes or probing questions included in the instructions.
Concepts Addressed
♦ Heat causes air to expand which results either in lower density OR higher pressure, ♦ Air's pressure pushes it into every conceivable space
♦ Air (gas) cannot pull, it can only push"
Answer Keys and Teacher Notes address most questions and issues that might arise in this study—you shouldn’t have to do any outside research unless you want to.
Materials Needed Hot plate or heat source, empty soda cans (many!), dishpan or plastic bowl of water.
Prep Time Collect empty cans and other equipment
Teaching Time About 30 mins depending on accompanying writing assignment.
Student Sheets Scaffolded writing prompts & lab reporting
