In science, we had to learn about contraction and did an experiment to interact with it. In this blog, you will learn how to do the same experiment we did.
Hypothesis
We were told it was going to implode, pulling in its sides previously, so I thought it would implode.
Equipment
Large container filled with a small amount of cold water.
Aluminium cans with a tiny amount of water.
A heat pad / stove top.
Scissor-Tongs.
Experiment
Pour some cold water into a container large enough to house the cans within it with some space.
Pour a tiny amount of water into an aluminium can.
Place it onto the stove top / heat pad.
Wait until it starts steaming, maybe even shaking slightly.
Grab the can by the bottom with the scissor-tongs.
Place it upside-down in the container.
It should implode.
Results
The can imploded a lot more suddenly and violently than I expected, startling the people in my group.
Science Behind The Experiment
Because of the sudden cooling, the aluminium cans contracted, pulling in the sides in order to fill the space within the can.
Conclusion
I was quite happy with how the can imploded on impact with the cold water, proving my “hypothesis”correct.