Chapter 24, Problem 41A

Consider the inverted soft drink can placed in a pan of water, as featured in the Discover! box in Section 24.5. The can is crushed by atmospheric pressure. Would crushing occur if the water were hot but not boiling? Would it be crushed in boiling water? (Try it and see!)

To determine

The reason of crushing of the inverted soft drink which is placed in a pan of water and crushed by atmospheric pressure.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The atmospheric pressure is equal to the force per unit area exerted by the atmosphere. The atmospheric pressure decreases as the altitude increases

When one puts the inverted soft drink in a pan which is full of the hot water, then the soft drink will be crushed. This is because the air pressure from outside is more (due to hot water) as compared to the drink and hence, is the soft drink is crushed.

This will not occur when the boiling water is present. This is because water continuously vaporises and pressure is not high enough to crush the soft drink.