Question

Explain an activity to study the effect of atmospheric pressure.

Answer 1

Aim: To study the effect of atmospheric pressure

Materials required: A tin can, water, tripod stand with mesh, and burner

Procedure:

1. Take the tin can and pour some water into it.
2. Heat it over the burner with its mouth open.
3. The air inside the can also get heated and comes out of the can.
4. Now quickly close the mouth of the can with its cap.
5. Pour some cold water on it.

Observation: You will observe that the tin can gets crushed from all sides.

Discussion and Conclusion:

1. On heating the can, the air trapped inside it is expelled.
2. As the can is closed, no more air can enter inside it.
3. On pouring cold water on the can, the steam (or hot air) left inside the can condenses into water.
4. Hence, there is no air inside the can now.
5. This results in low pressure inside the can.
6. Therefore, the atmospheric pressure outside the can presses it from all sides, which crushes the can.