Crushed Can Demo

This is one of my favourite physics demonstrations - it shows the enormous forces that can be exerted by the atmosphere.

Unless you're a trained physicist, please don't try this at home - this is a potentially dangerous demo if you don't know what you are doing.

Video posted for use under Creative Commons Licence - by-nc-sa

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Crushed
• Can
• Demo
• Physics
• Thermodynamics

[Fudmottin]

Does Harley Davison actually make a motorcycle that weighs less than half a ton ;-)

[micolich]

@Fudmottin Good point :)

[tubestick00]

weld the can lid on with a tiny hole in the middle, pour in one litre, then do a quick little weld to seal the hole in the lid, leave a bunsen burner under it and step well back. would it explode??

[micolich]

@tubestick00 Depends on whether the internal pressure will exceed the rupture pressure for the can. Can't predict that without knowing a lot more info about the can and its contents, and the energy available in the bunsen flame.

[Fudmottin]

@micolich The seem on a can like that is not terribly strong. That little bunsen burner is putting out more than enough energy to rupture the can in tubestick00's scenario. The top and bottom parts are just crimped on. So it won't really explode.

This is more of a WAG than a calculated guess. But I would wager a dollar on it :-)

[TripleM68]

i almost had a heart attack when it crushed the first time. my whole body like shook. i wasent expecting it. im so stupid

"boom"

[xdugef]

>>The purpose of these comment boxes is to leave constructive criticism.

Are you sure you are talking about the comment boxes on youtube?

[micolich]

Everyone's a critic ;)

[ImNoTerr0rist]

I was too lazy to wait with using the plain water, so I turned a keyboard duster can upside down and sprayed it. POOF

[santa844]

lol