Micron Document
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html class="client-nojs vector-feature-night-mode-disabled vector-feature-language-in-header-enabled vector-feature-language-in-main-page-header-disabled vector-feature-page-tools-pinned-disabled vector-feature-toc-pinned-clientpref-1 vector-feature-main-menu-pinned-disabled vector-feature-limited-width-clientpref-1 vector-feature-limited-width-content-enabled vector-feature-custom-font-size-clientpref-1 vector-feature-appearance-pinned-clientpref-1 vector-sticky-header-enabled" lang="en" dir="ltr"><head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>Collapsing can</title>
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<link rel="canonical" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collapsing_can"> <link href="./mw/ext.cite.styles.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">
<link href="./mw/ext.tmh.player.styles.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">
<link href="./mw/mediawiki.page.gallery.styles.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">
<link href="./mw/skins.vector.icons.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">
<link href="./mw/skins.vector.search.codex.styles.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">
<link href="./mw/skins.vector.styles.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">
<link href="./mw/user.styles.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">
<meta name="ResourceLoaderDynamicStyles" content="">
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="./mw/site.styles.css">
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="./mw/noscript.css">
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="./footer.css">
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="./vector-2022.css">
</head>
<body class="skin--responsive skin-vector skin-vector-search-vue mediawiki ltr sitedir-ltr mw-hide-empty-elt ns-0 ns-subject page-Collapsing_can rootpage-Collapsing_can skin-vector-2022 action-view">
<div class="mw-page-container">
<div class="mw-page-container-inner">
<div class="mw-content-container">
<main id="content" class="mw-body">
<header class="mw-body-header vector-page-titlebar">
<h1 id="firstHeading" class="firstHeading mw-first-heading">
<span id="openzim-page-title" class="mw-page-title-main"><span class="mw-page-title-main">Collapsing can</span></span>
</h1>
</header>
<a id="top"></a>
<div id="bodyContent" class="vector-body ve-init-mw-desktopArticleTarget-targetContainer" aria-labelledby="firstHeading" data-mw-ve-target-container="">
<div id="mw-content-text" class="mw-body-content mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr"><div class="mw-content-ltr mw-parser-output" lang="en" dir="ltr">
<p><b>Collapsing can</b> or <b>can crusher experiment</b> is a demonstration of an <a href="Aluminium" title="Aluminium">aluminum</a> can being crushed by <a href="Atmospheric_pressure" title="Atmospheric pressure">atmospheric pressure</a>. Due to the low <a href="Pressure" title="Pressure">pressure</a> inside a <a href="Drink_can" title="Drink can">can</a> as compared to the pressure outside, the pressure outside exerts a force on the can causing the can to collapse.<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
</p>
<meta property="mw:PageProp/toc">
<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Explanation">Explanation</h2></div>
<p>The demonstration starts with boiling water inside the can. As the water is boiled, <a href="Water_vapor" title="Water vapor">water vapor</a> is created and fills the space inside the can which then pushes the air out.
</p><p>H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>(<span class="serif-fonts" style="font-family: 'Georgia Pro', Georgia, 'DejaVu Serif', Times, 'Times New Roman', FreeSerif, 'DejaVu Math TeX', 'URW Bookman L', serif;">l</span>)</sub> → H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>(<span class="serif-fonts" style="font-family: 'Georgia Pro', Georgia, 'DejaVu Serif', Times, 'Times New Roman', FreeSerif, 'DejaVu Math TeX', 'URW Bookman L', serif;">g</span>)</sub>
</p><p>Then, inverting a water vapor-filled can into a water bath causes the water vapor to rapidly condense back to liquid water. The <a href="Condensation" title="Condensation">condensation</a> of water reduces pressure inside the can, so the higher pressure outside the can makes the can collapse.<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
</p><p>H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>(<span class="serif-fonts" style="font-family: 'Georgia Pro', Georgia, 'DejaVu Serif', Times, 'Times New Roman', FreeSerif, 'DejaVu Math TeX', 'URW Bookman L', serif;">g</span>)</sub> → H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>(<span class="serif-fonts" style="font-family: 'Georgia Pro', Georgia, 'DejaVu Serif', Times, 'Times New Roman', FreeSerif, 'DejaVu Math TeX', 'URW Bookman L', serif;">l</span>)</sub>
</p>
<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Limitation">Limitation</h2></div>
<p>Since the can is open when immersed, this demonstration only works with aluminum cans. Aluminum cools quickly when immersed, causing almost instantaneous condensation of the steam, leading the weak aluminum to collapse. With steel cans the water in the cooling bath condenses the interior steam by contact through the opening in the can. Then the cooling water is drawn inside the can by the reduced pressure preventing the collapse of the can. The steam condenses before the steel cools.<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
</p><p>A variation where the opening in the can is sealed air-tight can make even a strong a <a href="Drum_(container)" title="Drum (container)">steel drum</a> collapse. After the water inside the drum boils and forces the air out, the opening is sealed air tight. When the steam condenses the can, or drum, will be crushed by the pressure differential between the internal partial pressure of water, and the external atmosphere.<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>5<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
</p>
<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Alternatives">Alternatives</h2></div>
<p>Addition of <a href="Sodium_hydroxide" title="Sodium hydroxide">sodium hydroxide</a> to a can filled with <a href="Carbon_dioxide" title="Carbon dioxide">carbon dioxide</a> can produce a similar result.<sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-6"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
</p>
<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Gallery">Gallery</h2></div>
<ul class="gallery mw-gallery-traditional">
<li class="gallerybox" style="width: 155px">
<div class="thumb" style="width: 150px; height: 150px;"><span typeof="mw:File"><span></span></span></div>
<div class="gallerytext">A video of collapsing can experiment</div>
</li>
<li class="gallerybox" style="width: 155px">
<div class="thumb" style="width: 150px; height: 150px;"><span typeof="mw:File"><span></span></span></div>
<div class="gallerytext">A video of collapsing can experiment</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2></div>
<style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">
/* start https://en.wikipedia.org/ */


.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}


/* end https://en.wikipedia.org/ */
</style><div class="reflist">
<div class="mw-references-wrap"><ol class="references">
<li id="cite_note-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-1">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238218222">
/* start https://en.wikipedia.org/ */


.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("./mw/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("./mw/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("./mw/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("./mw/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}


/* end https://en.wikipedia.org/ */
</style><cite id="CITEREFLimpanuparb,_T.;_Sathainthammanee,_D.;_Pakwilaikiat,_P.;_Kaewpichit,_C.;_Yimkosol,_W.;_Suwannakhan,_A.2021" class="citation journal cs1">Limpanuparb, T.; Sathainthammanee, D.; Pakwilaikiat, P.; Kaewpichit, C.; Yimkosol, W.; Suwannakhan, A. (2021). "Reinterpreting Popular Demonstrations for Use in a Laboratory Safety Session That Engages Students in Observation, Prediction, Record Keeping, and Problem Solving". <i>Journal of Chemical Education</i>. <b>98</b> (1): <span class="nowrap">191–</span>197. <a href="Bibcode_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="Bibcode (identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2021JChEd..98..191L">2021JChEd..98..191L</a>. <a href="Doi_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="Doi (identifier)">doi</a>:<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://doi.org/10.1021%2Facs.jchemed.9b00474">10.1021/acs.jchemed.9b00474</a>. <a href="S2CID_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="S2CID (identifier)">S2CID</a>&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:216354702">216354702</a>.</cite><span class="cs1-maint citation-comment"><code class="cs1-code">{{cite journal}}</code>: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)</span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-2">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments/incredible-can-crusher/">"Air Pressure Can Crusher – Science Experiment"</a><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">11 Aug</span> 2021</span>.</cite></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-3">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><cite id="CITEREFSummerlin,_L._R.1987" class="citation book cs1">Summerlin, L. R., James, L. E. Jr. (1987). <i>Chemical Demonstrations: A Sourcebook for Teachers</i>. Washington, DC: American Chemical Society. pp.&nbsp;<span class="nowrap">26–</span>27.</cite><span class="cs1-maint citation-comment"><code class="cs1-code">{{cite book}}</code>: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)</span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-4"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-4">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><cite id="CITEREFShakhashiri1985" class="citation book cs1">Shakhashiri, B. Z. (1985). <i>Chemical Demonstrations, Vol. 2: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry</i>. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press. pp.&nbsp;<span class="nowrap">6–</span>8.</cite></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-5"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-5">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><cite id="CITEREFLauth2019" class="citation news cs1">Lauth, L. (19 Jan 2019). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-19/julius-sumner-millers-faith-in-physics-why-is-it-so-1964/10562696">"Professor Julius Sumner Miller maintains his faith in physics despite Why Is It So? near-miss"</a>. <i>ABC News</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">11 Aug</span> 2021</span>.</cite></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-6"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-6">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Archived at <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211208/QtOmRIB3TwI">Ghostarchive</a> and the <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160606090909/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtOmRIB3TwI&amp;gl=US&amp;hl=en">Wayback Machine</a>: <cite class="citation audio-visual cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtOmRIB3TwI"><i>How to Crush a Can Using Chemistry</i></a>. <i><a href="YouTube" title="YouTube">YouTube</a></i>.</cite></span>
</li>
</ol></div></div>
<style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1290876196">
/* start https://en.wikipedia.org/ */


.mw-parser-output .side-box{margin:4px 0;box-sizing:border-box;border:1px solid #aaa;font-size:88%;line-height:1.25em;background-color:var(--background-color-interactive-subtle,#f8f9fa);display:flow-root}.mw-parser-output .infobox .side-box{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .side-box-abovebelow,.mw-parser-output .side-box-text{padding:0.25em 0.9em}.mw-parser-output .side-box-image{padding:2px 0 2px 0.9em;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .side-box-imageright{padding:2px 0.9em 2px 0;text-align:center}@media(min-width:500px){.mw-parser-output .side-box-flex{display:flex;align-items:center}.mw-parser-output .side-box-text{flex:1;min-width:0}}@media(min-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .side-box{width:238px}.mw-parser-output .side-box-right{clear:right;float:right;margin-left:1em}.mw-parser-output .side-box-left{margin-right:1em}}


/* end https://en.wikipedia.org/ */
</style><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1237033735">
/* start https://en.wikipedia.org/ */


@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .sistersitebox{display:none!important}}@media screen{html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .sistersitebox img[src*="Wiktionary-logo-en-v2.svg"]{background-color:white}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .sistersitebox img[src*="Wiktionary-logo-en-v2.svg"]{background-color:white}}


/* end https://en.wikipedia.org/ */
</style><div class="side-box side-box-right sistersitebox"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1126788409">
/* start https://en.wikipedia.org/ */


.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul{line-height:inherit;list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol li,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul li{margin-bottom:0}


/* end https://en.wikipedia.org/ */
</style>
<div class="side-box-flex">
<div class="side-box-image"><span class="noviewer" typeof="mw:File"></span></div>
<div class="side-box-text plainlist">Wikimedia Commons has media related to <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Can_crusher" class="extiw external" title="commons:Category:Can crusher">Can crusher</a></span>.</div></div>
</div>
<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="External_links">External links</h2></div>
<ul><li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fADVjIl1URg">Can Crush Demonstration</a></li></ul></div><!--htdig_noindex--><div><div class="zim-footer">
This article is issued from <a class="external text" title="Last edited on 2025-01-25" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/?title=Collapsing_can&amp;oldid=1271747249">Wikipedia</a>. The text is available under <a class="external text" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en">Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0</a> unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.
</div>
</div><!--/htdig_noindex--></div>
</div>
</main>
</div>
</div>
</div>

</body></html>