why do the sides of a can sometimes bulge out and causes the can to burst ?

Question

anonymous · Answer

how is this a biological question. i do not understand the question

aaronq · Answer

pressure exerted on the canister and causes it to deform?

anonymous · Answer

well the chapter is talking about food spoilage and its prevention and the question asked for an explantion for the bulging out of a can of food after awhile so i know that it has something to do with the food being spoiled but i wanted to know how to explain that to get full points

aaronq · Answer

decomposition may cause gas release and thus increasing the internal pressure of the can, i doubt that such little amount of food would do this

anonymous · Answer

yeah well maybe they had the can of food weeks after the expiration date, but i didnt even know that cans did this

anonymous · Answer

thanks

gitface · Answer

Prescense of the bacteria Clostridium botulinum in an anerobic environment, such as a can, creates a toxin that causes the can to bulge. Opening the can may result in Botulism, a severe medical illness.