Take an empty aluminum soda can and add a few drops of water
Take an empty aluminum soda can and add a few drops of water to the
inside of the can. Cover the opening with a piece of scotch tape, then puncture a small (pin-size) hole in the tape to allow a small amount of airflow. Now fill a small bowl with about an inch of cold water. Heat the soda can until you start to see steam coming through the hole in the tape. After observing steam through the tape hole, continue to heat the can another couple of minutes. Then carefully (be sure to use protective gloves or tongs) invert the hot can into the bowl of water so that the taped end is submerged. Discuss the following concepts as they occur throughout the course of the experiment:
a. overall observations of the experiment,
b. any phase changes with the water in the can,
c. air pressure changes inside the can,
d. the types of heat-transfer processes occurring,
e. explanations of what occurred.