Three chemists from Strem Chemicals, Inc in Newburyport -- Dr. Al Barney, Dave Geissler and John Pastore -- demonstrated the fundamental physical properties of states of matter. Their visit is funded through the Newburyport Education Foundation/Education Business Coalition Partnership Grants. The chemists heated this 55-gallon drum with water inside creating steam, then capped it tightly. When Kate Nickodemus, 14, threw cold water on it, the steam condensed creating a vacuum which caused the drum in collapse. Bryan Eaton/Staff Photo

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