The Science Behind Crushing Soda Cans
March 31, 2026 at 22:00
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✦ AI Summary
- Researchers explore the physics of can compression
- Filled cans collapse differently than empty ones
- Crushed cans form an intriguing sequence of rings
Many have experienced the oddly satisfying phenomenon of objects being crushed by a hydraulic press, yet few understand the underlying mechanics. Researchers from The University of Manchester delved into the behavior of soda cans under pressure.
When a can is filled with liquid, its compression is quite distinct compared to an empty one. Instead of a sudden collapse, it produces a fascinating, ordered sequence of circular rings that appear sequentially as pressure increases.
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