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Water Changing From a Gas to a Liquid

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wt
wt Member Posts: 13
in THE MAIN WALL
If I create steam inside a metal gallon can, then cap it and let it cool, the steam inside will change states back to a liquid, and in the process implode the can flat as a pancake. I think this phenomenon is strictly limited to the change of states (1700x to 1x) but my daughter believes that this is connected to the disparity between the air pressure inside and outside the can. Can anyone settle our quarrel?

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  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
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    Both. When the steam condenses, it shrinks 1700 times (i.e. to 1/1700th its volume as steam) which pulls a very deep vacuum. Now the pressure on the outside is much greater than that on the inside, which causes the can to collapse.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
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  • wt
    wt Member Posts: 13
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    Thank you both!
  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,576
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    I made this demonstration every time our latest olive oil can was empty!--NBC

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