Question

Answer the following questions given this experiement: Measure the volume of a soda can by filling it completely with water and pouring it out in 50 mL increments using a graduated cylinder. Add about 15 mL of water to a soda can then heat it using a hot plate until the water boils and water vapor begins to escape. Using a pair of tongs take the can and place it with the open end first into a bowl of ice cold water. Measure the volume of your soda can by filling it with water again. the result is the can being crushed.

Questions:

Why was the water heated in the can until boiling? What do you think caused the crushing of the can?

Answer 1

Boiling the water inside the can helps in driving the air out of the can, the water inside the can will turn
into water vapor and occupy the can by doing so. This helps in increasing the pressure inside the can
when compared to the atmospheric pressure outside the can.
When the can with water vapor is brought in contact with cold water the vapor will start condensing
hence the pressure inside will be reduced when compared to the atmospheric pressure of air
outside the can. As a result of this air pressure inside the can and outside of the can will try to
balance each other, during this process the can gets crushed when the open end is exposed
to ice cold water.