Physics Teacher Crushes 55 Gallon Drum Like a Coke Can
Posted May 21, 2012
Physics Teacher Kael Martin showed the students the power of atmospheric pressure last week by crushing a 55 gallon drum using nothing but heat and ice. He heated the drum with a burner and boiled 1 gallon of water in the container while it was un-capped. Once the steam started pouring out, he carefully capped the drum and transferred it into a pool of ice water. In a few seconds, the drum imploded with tremendous force. The heat from the burner expanded the air in the drum, and the bath of ice water caused a rapid drop in the pressure inside, causing the atmospheric pressure to crush the can. To watch a video of the experiment, click here.
