March 28, 2024, 06:19:46 PM
Forum Rules: Read This Before Posting


Topic: Compacting Soda cans?? It's cool, but how???  (Read 4024 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

azab41

  • Guest
Compacting Soda cans?? It's cool, but how???
« on: September 20, 2004, 05:39:57 PM »
Ok, this was a lab that we did, but i can't figure out how?

You take a soda can and add a small amount of water, put it on the heater until it is steaming.  The next step is to dump the can upside-down in cold water, the can collapses on it's own instantaneously.

The question is:  What happened, and what happened with the intermolecular forces and kenetic energy??

I know that it has to do with vapor pressure, the requirements for water to boil, I also know that as the Kenetic Energy INCREASES, the intermolecular forces effects DECREASES.  
I'm having a problem putting all aspects together.

Offline Mitch

  • General Chemist
  • Administrator
  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 5298
  • Mole Snacks: +376/-3
  • Gender: Male
  • "I bring you peace." -Mr. Burns
    • Chemistry Blog
Re:Compacting Soda cans?? It's cool, but how???
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2004, 12:53:48 AM »
The simplest answer is that as the hot gas in the container cools the pressure decreases causing the sides of the can to cave in do to the pressure being lower inside the can. P1/T1 = P2/T2 might help in arguing this logic.
Most Common Suggestions I Make on the Forums.
1. Start by writing a balanced chemical equation.
2. Don't confuse thermodynamic stability with chemical reactivity.
3. Forum Supports LaTex

Sponsored Links