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Self-heating cans

Self-heating cans are used to heat up some drinks and foods, such as coffee and soup.

The cans have two compartments, one surrounding the other. The inner compartment holds the
food or drink and the outer compartment holds calcium oxide and water. The calcium oxide and
water are separated by a thin barrier. If you press a button on the can, the barrier is broken.
The calcium oxide and water now mix and react together to heat up the contents of the can.

30544 Explain why it is important that the calcium oxide and water are separated by a barrier
when the can is stored.

It is important that the calcium oxide and water are separated when the can is stored beacuase if
they are not , they will react together to heat up the can but you don’t want to heat up the vcan ,
you want to store it .

30545 Explain what type of reaction takes place between the calcium oxide and water to heat up
the food or drink.

The type of reaction is exothermic as it gives off heat to the food or drink .

30546 Suggest some advantages and disadvantages of using self-heating cans. You can use
books and/or the internet to research additional ideas.

Advantages:Always being able to have a hot meal , cost effective , energy effective

Disadvantages : reaction can be unpredicted

30547 Hot packs are used to relieve pain and cold packs are used to help sports injuries.
Find out the reactions taking place in hot packs and cold packs. Summarise your findings.

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Self-heating cans

I can…
● classify changes as exothermic or endothermic
● compare the advantages and disadvantages of using a self-heating can.

© Pearson Education Ltd 2015. Copying permitted for

purchasing institution only. This material is not copyright free. 22