{"id":66858,"date":"2026-08-25T04:36:25","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T19:36:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phys-edu.net\/wp\/?p=66858"},"modified":"2026-08-25T04:36:25","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T19:36:25","slug":"whos-crushing-it-the-scientific-mystery-of-why-plastic-bottles-go-crunch-atmospheric-pressure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phys-edu.net\/wp\/?p=66858&lang=en","title":{"rendered":"Who’s Crushing It? The Scientific Mystery of Why Plastic Bottles Go “Crunch!” (Atmospheric Pressure)"},"content":{"rendered":"

I’m Ken Kuwako, a Science Trainer. Every day is an experiment.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Back to the special page<\/a><\/p>\n

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Imagine sitting in a quiet room with no one around when, suddenly, a plastic bottle on the table makes a loud \u201cCRUNCH!\u201d<\/b> and collapses in on itself… Have you ever seen something that looks as though an invisible giant had grabbed the bottle and squeezed it?<\/p>\n

At first glance, it looks almost like a supernatural phenomenon. But this is actually a dramatic demonstration of the \u201cpower of air\u201d<\/b> that is constantly surrounding us. In this experiment, I\u2019ll show you how to experience the incredible force of atmospheric pressure<\/b> using nothing more than a few everyday items you probably already have at home.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho crushed it?\u201d The mysterious experiment where a plastic bottle collapses<\/h3>\n

Everything you need for this experiment is probably already sitting somewhere in your home.<\/p>\n

\u3010What you need\u3011<\/b> \u30fbA plastic bottle (500 mL to 1 L is recommended) \u30fbHot water (use water that has just come to a boil)<\/p>\n

\u3010How to do the experiment\u3011<\/b><\/p>\n

1. Start with an empty plastic bottle.<\/p>\n

2. Pour a small amount of very hot, freshly boiled water into the bottle. (Just enough to cover the bottom is fine. Be extremely careful to avoid burns, and have an adult carry out this step.<\/b>)<\/p>\n

3. Put the cap on the bottle and gently shake it. Then immediately remove the cap and pour out the hot water.<\/p>\n

4. As soon as you have emptied the bottle, quickly screw the cap back on tightly<\/b>.<\/p>\n

5. Place the bottle on a table and watch it for a while.<\/p>\n

And then comes the magic! You can actually watch the plastic bottle suddenly collapse, even though nobody is touching it.<\/p>\n