Can Exp-AIR-iments
Your can responds to altitude, weather, and temperature. Here's how to see it in action:
1. The Airplane Test (Altitude)
What you need: Your can, airplane ticket
What to do: Toss it in your carry-on and take it through security (TSA safe). have it out during takeoff and record when you can noticeably feel a change in firmness.
What happens: The can expands and feels noticeably firmer. It's the same reason potato chip bags puff up on flights.
Why it works: Cabin pressure at cruising altitude is equivalent to about 8,000 feet elevation - significantly lower than ground level. Less pressure outside means the sealed Vermont Air inside pushes the walls outward.
Beware: The person next to you will have questions. Better brush up on your atmospheric science.
2. The Storm Tracker (Weather)
What you need: Your can, a weather app, patience
What to do: Check your local barometric pressure reading. Feel your can and note its firmness. Check again in 6-12 hours when pressure has changed significantly.
What happens: As a low-pressure system approaches (usually before storms), your can expands and firms up. When high pressure moves in (clear skies), it contracts and softens.
Why it works: Your can is responding to the same pressure changes that meteorologists track. You're feeling the invisible weight of the atmosphere shifting.
Tornado's and don'ts: If you're can gets really whacky, that train you hear coming is likely a tornado.
3. The Hot Water Bath (Temperature)
What you need: Your can, a bowl, hot tap water...or a hot steamy bath if you're into it
What to do: Feel your can at room temperature. Hold it in a bowl of hot water (not THAT hot...unless you're into it). Notice how long it takes for the can to change firmness.
What happens: The can firms up noticeably within seconds. You can feel the walls push outward as the internal pressure increases.
Why it works: Heat makes gas molecules move faster. Faster molecules mean more collisions with the can walls leading to higher internal pressure and an expanded, firmer can.
4. Freezer Cans Off (Extreme Temperature)
What you need: Your can, a freezer, a reminder on your phone so you don't forget it in the freezer, because there's a good chance you will
What to do: Put your can in the freezer. Wait at least 30 minutes. Take it out and observe any misshapen areas of the can.
What happens: The can will be noticeably softer and more squeezable. As it warms back to room temperature, it will firm up again and maybe even pop back into shape.
Why it works: Extreme cold dramatically slows molecular movement, reducing internal pressure significantly. The walls relax inward.
Warning: Don't leave it in there for days. While it won't explode (it's not pressurized like soda), extreme cold for extended periods could potentially compromise the seal. And nobody wants that.