Final answer:
Pounding a cork directly into the liquid filling a wine bottle can cause it to break due to increased pressure. However, if there is air between the cork and the liquid, the air can absorb the force and prevent the bottle from breaking.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a cork is pounded directly into the liquid filling a wine bottle, the bottle can break. This is because when the cork is inserted, it creates a seal and the liquid can't compress. As a result, the pressure inside the bottle increases, exerting a force on the walls of the bottle. If the force exceeds the strength of the bottle, it can break. However, if there is air between the cork and the liquid, the air can compress and absorb some of the force, preventing the bottle from breaking.