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    Home » Coin Poppers!

    Coin Poppers!

    May 8, 2012 By Emma Vanstone 12 Comments

    Coin poppers is a brilliant experiment to demonstrate air pressure!

    What you need

    A small empty plastic drink bottle

    A 2p coin

    A small square of kitchen roll

    Method

    1. Put the empty bottle in the freezer for about an hour to cool.

    coin poppers, Science Sparks

    Cool it!

    2. Cut a small square of tissue paper and put it on top of the 2p piece

    coin poppers, science sparks

    3. Pour a little water over the tissue to stick it to the 2p

    coin poppers, Science Sparks

    Wet the tissue!

    4. Without removing the bottle from the freezer, place the 2p on top of the bottle, tissue side down, to seal as a lid.

    coin poppers, Science Sparks

    Seal the lid!

    5. Leave for half an hour

    6. Bring out and warm the top of the bottle with your hands!

    7. Watch the magic!

    Why does this work?

    We assume we have put an empty bottle inside the freezer but of course it is actually full of air which is a mixture of gases, containing nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide amongst others. As a gas cools it shrinks lowering the pressure, but because the lid is off, more air can enter the bottle from the freezer. Once you placed the coin lid on, you have sealed the top. As the air inside warms up again from your hands, it expands, and forces more pressure on the inside of the bottle and the lid, compared to outside the bottle. It makes enough pressure to break the seal and pop the lid!

    Last Updated on March 23, 2019 by Emma Vanstone

    « Bean in a jar
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    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Heidi Butkus

      May 09, 2012 at 3:28 am

      This looks like fun! Can you tell me which United States coin would be the same size as a 2p coin?
      Thanks,
      Heidi Butkus
      http://heidisongs.blogspot.com

      Reply
      • ScienceSparks

        May 11, 2012 at 8:39 pm

        I think a quarter would be the nearest. x

        Reply
    2. maryanne @ mama smiles

      May 09, 2012 at 11:34 pm

      Very cool! And an experiment I haven’t seen before!

      Reply
      • ScienceSparks

        May 11, 2012 at 8:39 pm

        Glad you like it!

        Reply
    3. Jenny (@cheetahsinshoes)

      May 11, 2012 at 12:35 pm

      how cool – I know a certain 7 year old who is just going to LOVE this!

      Reply
      • ScienceSparks

        May 11, 2012 at 7:56 pm

        Yay, let us know how you get on!

        Reply
    4. Mary

      May 11, 2012 at 2:14 pm

      Cool! I just tried this at home! and I don’t have small children as an excuse!!! tee hee

      Reply
      • ScienceSparks

        May 11, 2012 at 7:57 pm

        Did it work?

        Reply
    5. Jacq

      May 11, 2012 at 7:07 pm

      Very cool! Literally. I think we need a bigger freezer!

      Reply
      • ScienceSparks

        May 11, 2012 at 7:57 pm

        🙂 Let us know if you try it!

        Reply
    6. Barenakedmummy

      May 11, 2012 at 9:17 pm

      Great idea. Am now going to follow and get some more great stuff for the kids (ps came over from the blohop at Mummy’s little monkey!)

      Reply
    7. [email protected]

      May 15, 2012 at 2:50 am

      Very cool! I had never seen this before. Thanks so much for sharing with Tuesday Tots.

      Reply

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