Vélez Rivera 1

Mirelys Z. Vélez Rivera

ENGL 1302-203

Dr. Sharity Nelson

February 9, 2023

Result of Atmospheric Pressure

Introduction

What is atmospheric pressure? Even though the atmosphere and the atmospheric pressure

form part of our daily lives, most people do not have the knowledge or basic understanding of

what is the atmosphere and the effects that it has on the Earth. With the experimentation

performed, people would be able to understand the concept in more depth. The atmosphere is the

mixture of gases surrounding the planet. The atmosphere can be divided into five different layers

(which are known as Exosphere, Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, and Troposphere)

with their own unique characteristics. Atmospheric pressure, also known as barometric pressure,

is the force of an entire body of air exerted above a specified area. There are many studies

conducted by different scientists all over the world investigating a variety of matters around this

subject. A good example representing this matter could be the globally conducted experiment

done by Centurioni and other scientists. Their scientific research article provides information on

a system built to measure atmospheric pressure on the sea level. With the data obtained

throughout this research, the scientists were able to gather information and have reported on

whether the sea level atmospheric pressure decreased or increased during an extended time

period. Another research paper showcasing a similar topic is “Observed Variations of the

Atmospheric Boundary Layer and Stratocumulus over a Warm Eddy in the Kuroshio Extension.”
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(Want et al.) Whose research talks about the “vessel sailing across Warn Eddy in the Kuroshio

Extension on 13 April captured an abrupt development of stratocumulus under synoptic high

pressure. Results from the regional atmospheric model simulations indicate that increased

surface heat flux over the ocean.” (Wang et al.) Thus these researches are very informative and

detailed, and the research conducted during this article is more recreational for students.

Experiment

During this investigation, the individual will learn how to smash an aluminum can

applying the scientific method and using the atmospheric pressure to obtain the result wanted.

The purpose of this experiment is to learn about atmospheric pressure in an unusual and

entertaining way. As the experiment materials can be found in any common grocery store, the

investigation can be conducted at the comfort of the individual house. Not to mention the

experiment can be also recreated by kids between the ages of 12+ (with the supervision and help

of an adult) so they learn about the topic. Another purpose of this experiment is to persuade

individuals to recycle the materials after the conclusion of the procedures. The problem to

answer with this experiment was: How can the atmospheric pressure affect an aluminum can?

The second question to answer by changing the experiment characteristics is: What different

results can be obtained by changing the variables? The materials needed during this experiment

will be the following: empty 12oz and 16oz aluminum cans, gas stove, kitchen tongs, bowl, room

temperature water, cold water, ice, gloves, safety goggles, and apron. The hypothesis made for

this experiment is that the pressure inside the aluminum can becomes lower than the atmospheric

pressure outside of it causing the aluminum of the can to get crushed.

Procedures
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Gather all materials needed for the experiment and organize the experimentation area. It

is vital to have the experimentation area clean and organize to avoid any accidents or liquid

spills. To prevent hazards, wear safety goggles, aprons, and gloves during all laboratory

procedures, and do not take off until the experiment is completed. In case of liquid spills,

material damage, or any other issues during the experiment, take extra measures and proceed

according to the situation carefully. After completing this task the individual may proceed with

the experiment. First, it will be required to recollect the water that will be placed inside the

aluminum can and measure the exact amount used so the individual is able to recreate the same

condition for the next repetition of the experiment. Mostly, the individual will be gathering an

amount of 15-30mL of water to have a better result in the experiment. If possible, with a

thermometer try measuring the temperature of the water before and after boiling the water inside

the aluminum can. Heat up the water inside the can until reaching a boiling point (the moment

the can start releasing visible gas). When the water reaches the boiling point, grab the aluminum

can with forceps (or as an alternative tongs) and transfer (flip) to cold water with the can facing

down. Do not forget to also record the temperature of cold water before the aluminum can is

placed into it. The can should have an immediate physical reaction once the whole on the top of

the can makes contact with the cold water. Repeat the process at least 2-3 times to revise the data

taken is accurate. To experiment with different results of the experiment the individual will be

needed to change some variables, like the quantity of water, the amount of time spent boiling

water, othersetc.
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Data

Aluminum Volume H2O

Trial Time Qualitative Observations
Can of H2O Temperature
1 Initial: 21°C
Odorless, and light-crushing
12oz 15mL Cold: 8°C 1:08.8
noise
Hot: 100°C
2 Initial: 21°C
12oz 15mL Cold: 8°C 2:33.49 Very loud noise odorless
Hot: 102°C
3 Initial: 22 °C
Clear burning scent and it made a
12oz 30mL Cold: 8°C 2:21.47
very loud crushing noise
Hot: 102°C
4 Initial: 22°C
Strong smell of burning, and a
12oz 30mL Cold: 8°C 3:35.37
loud crushing sound
Hot: 102°C

Aluminum Volume
Trial Temperature Time Qualitative Observations
Can of H2O
1 Initial: 22°C
Intense crushing noise but not
16oz 15mL Cold: 8°C 1:07.84
very loud, odorless
Hot: 101°C
2 Initial: 21°C
Intense crushing noise along
16oz 15mL Cold: 8°C 2:41.16
with air-blowing sound, odorless
Hot: 102°C
3 Initial: 22°C
Intense crushing noise along
16oz 30mL Cold: 7°C 3:09.46
with air-blowing sound
Hot: 102°C
4 Initial: 22°C
Very loud crushing noise burned
16oz 30mL Cold: 7°C 4:39.68
smell
Hot: 103°C

Discussion

When comparing the results obtained from the aluminum can of 12oz to the ones of 16oz

it is noticeable that the result becomes repetitive and constant. The atmospheric pressure result is

almost the same in all aluminum cans. In conclusion, the hypothesis was confirmed, when

heating the water inside the can the atmospheric pressure becomes greater, and the heat causes

the water to evaporate. When transferring and flipping the aluminum can into the cold water
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container, the pressure inside of the aluminum can becomes lower and the atmospheric pressure

inside of it causes the aluminum to be crushed by the air.

Conclusion

The main idea of this experiment was to make the people performing the experiment

more aware of what it is atmospheric pressure and how it works. The hypostasis was proven

correct, meaning that the change of temperature does affect the atmospheric pressure in objects

and our surroundings. Throughout the experimentation people have a visual explanation of the

effects of atmospheric pressure and how can the change in temperature also changes the results.

The reason why it was tough that this topic was important was that not a lot of people contain

knowledge of what is atmospheric pressure and do not know how it works.

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Works Cited

Bulei, Ciprian, Mihai-Paul Todor, and Imre Kiss. "RESEARCHES ON IDENTIFYING

SOLUTIONS, DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

FOR RECYCLING AND REUSE OF NON–FERROUS METAL BASED RAW

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Centurioni, Luca, et al. "A Global Ocean Observing System for Measuring Sea Level

Atmospheric Pressure: Effects and Impacts on Numerical Weather Prediction." Bulletin of

the American Meteorological Society, vol. 98, no. 2, 2017, pp. 231-238. ProQuest,

https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-15-00080.1.

Chang, Y.-C., et al. "OPTICAL EMISSION ANALYSIS OF ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE

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Frédéric, Perrier, et al. “Temperature variations in caves induced by atmospheric pressure

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