I was wondering if anyone here knew about the principles of suction, given I'm trying to do an experiment. Take a pan with with a lid, boil water, and have only a small opening atop the lid to let out steam would induce suction in theory around the side of the lid, yes...?

Edited December 30, 201311 yr by Noitartst

Well it's good to experiment as this is the ultimate test of a theory.

 

I think you will be in for a suprise or two when you do your experiment.

 

What do you know about the pressure in a gas (or any other fluid for that matter)?

Suction is as result of changing the particles per cubic measurement of volume. All substances want to be surrounded by substances of the same particles per cubic volume. This is also the cause of displacement in the atmosphere and oceans.

 

We were shown an experiment at school on pressure,   put water in a metal can (e.g oil can i think(,  boil,  ( as stem comes out of the can neck (wrong term for it there i think( put lid on can, and see what happens as a result in the air pressure difference inside and outside the can.

As for suction,  a simple straw does this or to observe  a longer tube,  you suck the liquid though the tube and then put the tube in the sink so the water passes through (syphon)

Try this with water and clean equipment of course.

Paul