Pop Can Activity
Name:______________________________
Objectives:
 Use your knowledge of pressure and the properties of gases to explain what happens to the can
Materials:
 aluminum cans
 bucket of cold water
 lab burner
Safety: You must wear safety goggles anytime you are working with an open flame.
Pre-lab Questions: (Answer these questions before you do anything)
1. What is in the “empty” can?
2. When you heat the small amount of water in the can, now what is in the can?
3. (Make a prediction) What will happen to the can when it is inverted and placed in the bucket of
cold water?
Procedure:
1. Empty any liquid out of the can.
2. Place a small amount of water in the can.
3. Heat the can over the burner so that the small amount water evaporates. (You will see steam
come out of the mouth of the can).
4. Invert the can and place it in the bucket of cold water.
5. Answer the following questions:
6. (DATA) What do you observe happen to the can? Was your prediction correct?
ANALYSIS/CONCLUSION:
7. What happened to the water vapor in the can when it was placed in the cold water?
8. Provide an explanation of your observations. (Hint: Use the definition of pressure to explain.)