Crushing A Soda Can Using Air Pressure Investigation

Right now, as you are reading this, there are tons of air pushing down on you. That is air pressure. As you might know, the Earth is covered with a blanket of gases. That is called the atmosphere. The air from the atmosphere takes up space, so it has mass (weight). The more atmosphere above you, the more the air pressure. There is actually 14.7 pounds per square inch of your body pushing down on you right now!! That means that your whole body is having about 7 tons of air pushing down on you! You can’t really feel the air pressure because your body is pushing outward, the opposite direction of the air pressure. There is actually a way to see air pressure in action.

That is what we are going to do today in this investigation!

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For this investigation, you need:

• A pencil/pen
• Spectacular Science Membership Crush A Soda Can Using Air Investigation Guide (Click here to find it)
• An empty and clean soda can
• A large plastic box filled halfway with cold water
• Tongs or oven mitts
• A pitcher full of ice water
• Boiling hot water (Adult help needed!)
• An adult science helper

Using the steps and directions on the investigation guide, complete this activity!