Exploding Film Canister (Funky Physics Experiments)

You will need:

1. Plastic canister of a
   camera reel
2. Water
3. Fizzing tablets (like
   antacid tablets)

We all love fireworks and exploding canisters. But do you know that you can create an explosion without any fire power? Carry out the following experiment to find out how you can create a no-fire explosion.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Conduct this experiment outside where there is plenty of space.
2. If the tablets you are using are quite large, then break them into halves and place half of the tablets into the canister.
3. Fill half of the canister with water and quickly shut the lid and place it on the ground with the lid-side facing down.
4. Move away from the canister (at least 2-3 metres away). No matter how long it takes, do not go back to check on the canister.
5. It takes 2-3 minutes for the reaction to take place.

RESULT

While the tablet reacts with the water and has a chemical reaction creating carbon dioxide gas, what follows is a physical reaction. The gas begins to fill inside the canister. But with a canister of this size, the rapidly forming gas has no place to go, increasing pressure inside the canister. Finally, the pressure of the gas becomes high enough for it to force the lid open and explode with a loud pop.