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Collapsing Can—Demonstration Kit

By: The Flinn Staff

Collapsing Can and Air Pressure Physical Science and Physics Demonstration Kit
air pressure, atmospheric pressure
vacuum, gas, gasses
Collapsing Can and Air Pressure Physical Science and Physics Demonstration Kit
air pressure, atmospheric pressure
vacuum, gas, gasses
Item #: AP4695 

Price: $14.67

Collapsing Can and Air Pressure Demonstration Kit for physical science and physics is a demonstration of over 1,800 lbs of force that convinces viewers that air exerts significant pressure.

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Product Details

Here’s a forceful demonstration—over 1,800 lbs of force! This demonstration will convince students that air exerts significant pressure. Simply place about a centimeter of water in the bottom of the can and heat it until it boils and steam comes out of the uncapped top. Remove the can from the heat, cap tightly, and watch and listen to the drama. As the can cools, a vacuum forms inside, and the can dramatically collapses. A real attention-getter. Includes one can and detailed instructions.

Concepts: Pressure differential, atmospheric pressure.
Time Required: 20 minutes
Materials Provided: Metal can with screw-top lid.

Correlation to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)†

Science & Engineering Practices

Developing and using models
Planning and carrying out investigations
Using mathematics and computational thinking

Disciplinary Core Ideas

MS-PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter
MS-PS3.A: Definitions of Energy
MS-PS2.A: Forces and Motion
HS-PS3.A: Definitions of Energy
HS-PS3.B: Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer

Crosscutting Concepts

Cause and effect
Structure and function
Energy and matter

Performance Expectations

MS-PS1-4: Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
HS-PS3-2: Develop and use models to illustrate that energy at the macroscopic scale can be accounted for as a combination of energy associated with the motion of particles (objects) and energy associated with the relative position of particles (objects).
HS-PS3-4: Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that the transfer of thermal energy when two components of different temperature are combined within a closed system results in a more uniform energy distribution among the components in the system (second law of thermodynamics).