A soda pop can with a small amount of water is on a hot stove. Soon steam comes from its opening. When the can is quickly inverted into a pan of water, the can is crushed by
A)suction of the can interior.
B)condensation.
C)atmospheric pressure.
D)a drop in pressure.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the can is heated in the stove, the small amount of water inside evaporates and creates steam, which increases pressure inside the can. Inverting the can into the pan of water causes the steam to rapidly cool and condense, which creates a vacuum inside the can. This quick change in pressure causes the atmospheric pressure outside the can to crush it. Therefore, the crushing of the can is due to atmospheric pressure.

A Soda Pop Can with a Small Amount of Water