During which step in the Can Crush Lab did the air pressure outside the can become greater than the pressure inside the can?
The can was filled nearly to the top with water.
The can was placed on the hot stove burner for several minutes.
The can was removed from the hot oven burner.
The can was placed upside-down in the water-filled pan
To determine at which step the air pressure outside the can became greater than the pressure inside, let's analyze the options provided:
1. The can was filled nearly to the top with water.
- Filling the can with water does not directly affect the air pressure inside or outside the can.
2. The can was placed on the hot stove burner for several minutes.
- Heating the can on the stove causes the water inside the can to heat up and turn into steam. As the water evaporates, the steam exerts pressure on the inside of the can, but the air pressure outside the can remains the same.
3. The can was removed from the hot oven burner.
- When the can is removed from the stove, the heating source is eliminated. The air pressure outside the can still remains the same at this point.
4. The can was placed upside-down in the water-filled pan.
- This is the critical step. When the can is placed upside-down in the water-filled pan, the steam inside the can rapidly cools down, condenses, and turns back into liquid form. As the steam condenses, it creates a vacuum inside the can by displacing the air molecules. The vacuum reduces the pressure inside the can, making the air pressure outside the can greater.
Therefore, the correct answer is: The can was placed upside-down in the water-filled pan.