Collapsing a 55-Gallon Drum
Description: Two liters of water are poured into a 55-gallon drum, and the drum is heated for approximately 30 minutes. The drum is sealed, and it collapses within 5 minutes.
Source: Lee Marek, personal communication
Year: 1990 Vol: N/A Page: N/A
Keywords: 55-Gallon Drum, Water, Air pressure, Intermolecular Forces
Rating: 
Hazard: Some
- Flammability hazard
- Scalding hazard
- Burn hazard
- Slip hazard
Effectiveness: Good
- Clearly observable without guidance
- Good connection to course material
- Moderate to high failure rate
- Time to results is high
Difficulty: High
- Difficult manipulations for most to perform
- High temperature object in use
- Some intermediate steps to results
- Procedure involve difficulty
- Sequential manipulations
- Demos at non-standard conditions
- Prior training or practice is required
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- High temperature gloves required
- Heat resistant surface required
- Absorbent material on hand
- Lab coat or long sleeves required
Class: Gas Laws, Physical Chemistry
Division: General
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