Consider a steaming aluminum soda-pop can that contains a small amount of boiling water. When it is quickly inverted into a bath
of cooler water the can is dramatically crushed by atmospheric pressure. This occurs because the pressure inside the can is rapidly reduced by A) contact with the relatively cool water. B) sudden slowing of the air and steam molecules inside. C) condensation of steam inside. D) reduced internal energy. E) rapid conduction of heat to the relatively cool water.
Steam only condenses on a surface when the temperature of that surface is less than the saturation temperature for the pressure at which the steam is found. During this process the water molecule releases energy in the form of heat, in this case the water contained in the can brings a very high temperature causing the temperature of the cold water bath to rise abruptly thus releasing energy which makes the can crushed.
