Crunch a Can with Air, Water and Science!

Experiment with the wonders of pressure and condensation by crushing a soda can with nothing but air and water!

What You Need:

• Empty soda can with tab removed
• Ice water
• Pan
• Mixing bowl
• Tongs
• Stove

Caution! Experiment involves heat and boiling water, adult supervision required. 

What You Do:

1. Rinse the soda can, then place a couple tablespoons of water inside it - just enough to cover the bottom of the can. 
2. Place the can directly in a pan (use an old pan if you are worried about any damage caused by heating the can) and place on a stovetop burner. Turn the burner to medium-high heat.  Allow the water in the can to heat.
3. Fill the mixing bowl with about two inches of ice water.
4. Once the water in the can is boiling (steam will be coming out of the can and you should be able to hear the “popping” sound of boiling water), use the tongs to remove the can from the pan and quickly (without splashing boiling water!) bring the can to the bowl of water, turn it upside down, and immerse the can in the cold water. The can should quickly be “crushed” by the cold water!
5. Still holding the can with the tongs, pull the can out of the water and observe how much water pours out of the can.
6. Tip:  If the can doesn’t crunch on the first attempt, repeat the experiment.  Consider using a different can, placing less water in the can, making sure the water in the bowl is very cold, or heating the can in pan longer. 

Challenge your child to explain why the can was crushed.  If she mentions pressure and/or condensation she is off to a great start!  Here's what happened: