Conceptual question: Newton's Laws

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior of a vacuum-sealed can when a hole is punctured, particularly in relation to Newton's Laws of Motion. When a hole is made in a vacuum can within a pressurized container, the initial acceleration occurs towards the hole due to the pressure differential. However, as gas particles travel across the vacuum and collide with the can's interior, the net force diminishes, leading to deceleration caused by air resistance. Ultimately, the can will come to rest after this brief period of acceleration.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's Laws of Motion
  • Familiarity with pressure differentials in fluid dynamics
  • Basic knowledge of gas particle behavior in vacuums
  • Concept of air resistance and its effects on motion
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the implications of Newton's Third Law in fluid dynamics
  • Study the Feynman sprinkler problem and its relevance to pressure dynamics
  • Investigate the behavior of gases in vacuum conditions
  • Learn about the effects of air resistance on moving objects
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Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in the practical applications of Newton's Laws in real-world scenarios involving pressure and motion.

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Suppose you have a can (like a spray can) in a vacuum. You poke a hole in the can and the pressure from the can pushes it to the right. Now suppose you have a vacuumed can within a pressurized container and then you poke a hole in it. Which way (if at all) does it move?

I know this is sort of like the Feynman sprinkler problem, and because of this (I guess) similar analog I keep thinking that it won't go anywhere. Is this correct?
 
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My intuition suggests it will initially accelerate towards the side with the hole in it for the time it takes for gas particles to cross the vacuum inside the can and hit the inside wall. At this point there would, if the can were not moving, be no net force on the can, and it will now decelerate due to "air resistance" until it comes to rest.

I believe the can will accelerate towards the hole for exactly the time it takes for the gas particles to travel twice across the can .
 
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