Thermodynamics- Collapsing Can

Diffusion of Bromine Vapor Adiabatic Gas Expansion Explosive Decomposition of Nitrogen Triiodide Volume Increase Upon Neutralization You Can’t Go Back Dissolution of a Binary Mixture Heat Capacity of Water Shapes of Soap Films and Bubbles Surface Spreading and Surface Tension Surface Tension of Water: The Floating Paper Clip Will a Tissue Hold Water? Interfacial Tension Calorimeters Surface Tension: Floating Duck Effect of Heating a Rubber Band and a Spring Surface Tension With Oil and Pepper Household Chemical Density Column Lead Balloon Evaporation as an Endothermic Process Collapsing Aluminum Can Collapsing Can Thermal Expansion of Gases Density and Miscibility of Liquids Using Liquid Nitrogen to Do Work

Collapsing  Can

Description: A 5-gallon metal can is collapsed under external air pressure either by evacuating the can, or boiling water in it, sealing the can and allowing it to cool. Description II: Water is boiled in a square can. The can is quickly inverted into a container of water, and the can spontaneously crushes. This demo can also be performed using a vacuum pump to remove air from the can, until atmospheric pressure is sufficient to collapse it. This demonstration is also available on video and JCE “Chemistry Comes Alive!”  Vol. 1 CD-Rom. Source: Shakhashiri, BZ  Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry Year: 1985  Vol: 2  Page: 6 Keywords:  Water, Vacuum, Square can, Pressure, Collapse, Force Rating: Hazard: Some
  • Electric shock hazard
  • Slip hazard
  • Flammability hazard
  • Burn hazard
Effectiveness: Good
  • Clearly observable without guidance
  • Good connection from demo to course material
  • Low failure rate
  • Time to results is low
  • Clear contrast between behavior of systems
Difficulty: Medium
  • Simple manipulations for most to perform
  • Some intermediate steps to results
  • Simple procedures
  • Demos at non-standard conditions
Safety Precautions:
  • Gloves recommended
  • Eye protection required
  • Absorbent material on hand
  • Flame resistant surface recommended
  • Use of UL approved three-prong plug and outlet
Class: Gas Law, Intermolecular Forces Division: General, Physical Chemistry

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