Question

Prior to science lab, Maria had been drinking a can of soda. When she walked into the lab she set it down on the hot plate at her station. She heard a liquid beginning to boil, and realized that the previous students had forgotten to turn off the hotplate and the boiling noise was from the remaining soda in the can. Without thinking, she picked up the can with her bare hands, and put it upside down into the sink which was half full of liquid. Immediately the can crushed as though it was going to be recycled. What do you think is happening to the soda and air in the can? Support you claim in Question 4, by explaining why you think it is happening. Formulate your hypothesis for the problem. Critique Maria’s laboratory safety procedures.

Answer 1

See explanation

Step-by-step explanation:

When the temperature was increased, the pressure of the gas in the can was increased.

When Maria removed the can and placed it in cold liquid, the decrease in temperature led to a corresponding decrease in pressure of the gas inside the can hence the can was crushed.

Hypothesis: The pressure of the gas in the can is directly proportional to temperature.

Maria was careless about the experiment. She ought to have first checked whether the hot plate was off before placing the soda can. Secondly,she should not have immediately plunged the soda can into liquid because it will shrink due to decrease in pressure. She should not also have removed the soda can with bare hands to avoid getting burns and blisters.