In Newton's First Law of Motion there is a dynamic known as inertia. It states that objects at rest tend to remain at rest unless acted upon by an outside force. In this case, the can was at rest on the paper. When the paper was jerked away with enough force it happened so quickly that the can remained at rest in the same place on the table since it was not attached to the paper.

The student is able to communicate that the can was at rest and continued to stay at rest when the paper was jerked away. Furthermore, the student can identify the property which kept the can at rest as inertia. The student is able to communicate that the can stayed on the table when the paper was jerked away because it was heavy. The student is able to communicate that the can didn't fall. The student is able to communicate that this was a magic trick.