Bursting Bottle

Other Relevant Demos :

Relevant Resource questions :

Concepts demonstrated :

thermal expansion

Diagram of apparatus :

diagram yet to come Equipment needed :

bursting bottle (cast iron hollow bottle)
metal bucket
liquid nitrogen (or ice water will do)
hot water
CCD camera

Method for setting up apparatus :

Place the bottle into the hot water and leave it there until it reaches equilibrium with the water.
Remove the bottle from the hot water and drop it into the liquid nitrogen.

Accessories (ie posters etc) :

None

Physics involved :

When the bottle is heated and then cooled (or vice versa) the air inside will contract at a different rate to the metal of the bottle. This will cause the bottle to break.

How to use the Demonstration :

Perform the expeeriment demonstrating to students that thermal expansion or contraction can result in the desctruction of a strong object.

Everyday examples :

Bottles bursting when stored in the freezer at home.

Things to do or add :

Other Comments :

Mail me for any comments.
This page last updated 13th June 1998 by Pal Fekete.

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