Behavior of Matter- Expansion

When particles are heated they begin to move around more and the space between the particles increases, causing the substance to expand. The diagram below shows the effect of heat on the particles in a solid substance. Notice that the particles are vibrating more. Because of this, they are bumping into one another and the distance between the particles increases. This means that the solid will expand.


Describe the effect of the heat on:

1. The movement of the particles- They vibrate when they become heated  
2. The size of the particles- Nothing in the piece of information above says that the particles shrink or get bigger.  
3. The space between the particles- The space increases between the particles. 
4. The size of the substance- The substance expands but doesn't change in overall size. 

Aim: To observe contraction in gases

Equipment: Aluminium can, scissor tongs, Bunsen Burner, heatproof mat, tripod, gauze mat, an open container of water

What we had to do was heat a can that was 1/4 full and wait for it to vigorously boil. After that, we had to put it in a container of cold water upside down. When that is done it should implode. What I failed to do was get it upside down. It didn't do what it was meant to do and it failed so badly. Jaime, who was my partner also didn't get it to implode.