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Ingenium Canada Science and Technology Museum

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Soda Can Steam Engine

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Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday
Address
1867 St Laurent Blvd, Ottawa, ON
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Browse all Visitor Information for Canada Science and Technology Museum
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Soda Can Steam Engine

Materials for the soda can steam engine
Download activity PDF

Have you ever wondered how something as simple as water could move something as big as a train? In this activity, make your own soda can engine to see how steam energy can be transformed into kinetic energy, or movement.

What you need

  • Unopened soda can
  • Push pin
  • Tap water
  • Gas burner or Bunsen burner
  • Measuring cup
  • Tape
  • Tongs
  • String
  • Fishing swivel
  • Ring stand (can be purchased online)

Safety first!

When experimenting with fire, always make sure that there is adult supervision and help. You must have extinguishing materials (a fire extinguisher or blanket) nearby in case there is an accident.

Make it

  1. Poke two small holes, opposite each other, on the sides of the can using the push pin. While the push pin is still inside the hole, push it rightward so that it is tangential to the can. Do the same for the other hole, but push it leftward.
  2. Allow all of the soda to leave the can. Shake it if necessary.
  3. Rinse out the soda can. Fill the can with about 10 mL of water.
  4. Set up our fishing swivel so that it is attached to your ring stand.
  5. Tie your string to the swivel on one end, and form a loop facing downward. Put the loop around the pop can tab and tape it in place.

Test it

Place the gas or Bunsen burner underneath the can and turn it on. Soon, it will start to spin!

WARNING: Only adults should complete this step. Make sure you have an extinguisher nearby and ensure nobody touches the burner while it is on.

Explain it

When you heat up the water in the can, it begins to evaporate. The water vapour formed, like any gas, tries to take up as much space as it can. This means that some of it will begin to escape through the holes. The force of the air escaping propels the can like a jet, and since you have holes on each side, it is propelled in a circle!

Observe it

Steam engines also use the force of steam to move. That force that you noticed escaping from the can is harnessed in steam locomotives to move a piston. The movement of the piston, back and forth, is what moves the wheels along the track. When the steam exhaust is let out, it goes from being under high to normal pressure, which is why it makes the characteristic “choo” sound.

Go further

Using the same materials as you did for this experiment, try out the Imploding Can experiment to learn more about pressure!

Materials for Soda can steam engine
Soda can steam engine step 4
Soda can steam engine step 5

Program Details

SCITECH
Canada Science and Technology Museum
Duration
30 minutes
Difficulty Level:
Hard
Program Location
Online
  • View all programs at the Canada Science and Technology Museum
  • View other programs related to Sciences

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About Canada Science and Technology Museum

Canada Science and Technology Museum
The Canada Science and Technology Museum tells Canada's innovation story in an immersive, educational, and fun way.
Read more about the museum

Contact Us

Canada Science and Technology Museum
1867 St Laurent Blvd
Ottawa ON K1G 5A3
Canada

613-991-3044
1-866-442-4416
contact@IngeniumCanada.org
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  • Plan Your Visit
    • Health and Safety
    • Hours
    • Admission
    • Location and Directions
    • Accessibility
    • Browse All Visitor Information
    • Buy Tickets
    • Online Resources for Science at Home
    • About the Museum
  • What's On at the Museum
    • Events
    • Exhibitions
    • Spaces and Studios
  • Bookings and Rentals
    • School Programs
    • Birthday Parties
    • Summer Camps
    • Venue Rentals
    • Travelling Exhibitions
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Group Visits
  • Educational Programs
    • School Programs
    • Virtual Field Trips
    • Program Location
      • At the Museum
      • At Your School
      • Online
      • Browse all Educational Programs
    • Popular Links
      • 3D Educational Resources
      • Digital Learning Kits
      • Games and Apps
      • Online Resources for Science at Home
      • Tell Me About
      • Try This Out
  • Collection and Research
    • Research Institute
    • Research Projects
    • Collection Resources
      • Ingenium Collection
      • Collection Highlights
      • Conservation and Collection Services
    • Library and Archives
      • Library and Archives Services
      • Library Catalogue
      • Digital Archives
    • Open Access
      • Ingenium APIs
      • Open Data
      • Open Documents
  • Projects and Initiatives
    • Ingenium Channel
    • Curiosity on Stage
    • Women in STEM
    • Innovation Storybook
    • Species at Risk in Canada
    • Climate Science