Pop-Up Soda Can

Wow your friends with this uplifting trick!

Materials you'll need

  • empty beverage can
  • mug (big enough to hold the can)
  • a friend (optional)

Step-by-step tutorial

  • Step 1

    Slide the empty can into the mug. (Make sure there’s a small gap surrounding the sides of the can.) Tell your friend you’re going to pop the can out of the mug without touching the can or tilting the mug.

    Photo reference of how to complete step 1

  • Step 2

    Blow a strong puff of air down into the gap between the can and mug. Watch the can lift off. Ta-da!

    Photo reference of how to complete step 2

  • Step 3

    Hard mode: See if you can blow steadily to keep the can hovering in the cup. Levitation skill achieved!

    Photo reference of how to complete step 3

  • Photo reference of how to complete step 4

    Factmagnifying icon graphic

    Your magical puff sends air down into the mug where it gets trapped under the can. As more and more air crams into that small space, the air pushes harder and harder on whatever it touches — it’s building up pressure! Soon, the pressure is high enough to lift up the can and launch it out of the mug. The air escapes, free of its trap. Woohoo, you just saw one of the many things that pressure can do!

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