What Happens to a Punctured Pressurized Canister as It Sinks in the Ocean?

[biomajor009]

Homework Statement

A pressurized canister of air is punctured and then dropped into the ocean where it quickly sinks. The pressure of the air inside the canister is two times greater than atmospheric pressure. Describe what will happen to the canister as it sinks. In particular, will the air bubble out of the canister or will water leak into the canister? Or will this behavior change as the canister sinks?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I have a hard time visualizing these types of questions. But here's what I was thinking - that the air inside the canister would bubble out until the pressure in the inside was equalized with the outside; then water would start leaking into the canister, causing it to begin sinking? Am I on the right path?

 

[Kurdt]

The question says the canister starts sinking immediately. You are along the right lines however. Just take the initial sinking into account.

 

[ogb p]

Your thinking is on the right track. As the canister sinks, the pressure on the outside will increase due to the weight of the water above it. This will cause the air inside the canister to compress and the pressure inside will also increase. However, since the initial pressure inside the canister is already twice the atmospheric pressure, the air will not be able to compress much more. As a result, the air bubble inside the canister may shrink slightly, but it will not completely disappear. At the same time, the increasing pressure outside the canister will eventually overcome the strength of the puncture and water will start to leak into the canister. This will continue until the pressure inside and outside the canister are equalized, at which point the canister will stop sinking and remain at that depth.