I4-19: CONDENSATION OF STEAM - SODA CAN COLLAPSE

ID Code: I4-19
Purpose: Surprising demonstration using condensation of steam.
Description: A soda can with a small amount of water in the bottom is heated until the water boils, filling the can with steam. Very quickly the can is removed from the heater and inserted upside down into a container of cold water. The steam condenses so quickly that the can collapses, as seen in the photograph. This is quite a dramatic demonstration, and gets a good reaction from students.
Availability: Available

See the Physics Question of the Week for 3/23/2015 for an example of how this demonstration can be used in class interaction and discussion: lecdem.physics.umd.edu/question-of-the-week-archive.html