Does tapping the top of a soda can three times really prevent it from exploding when you open it?!
Does tapping the top of a soda can three times really prevent it from exploding when you open it?
When a carbonated beverage is shaken and then opened, it usually explodes, but somehow i was told to tap/poke the top three times fairly hard adn it wont explode. why is this or is it just coincidence?
Answers:
it helps by bringing the bubbles to the surface to pop before the can is opened. otherwise the bubbles come from the bottom, shooting up really fast, causing it to 'explode'.
addt. details:
here's a more scientific expanation.........
Tapping on the top of a carbonated beverage can (or bottle) before opening it may help prevent the drink from exploding out of the can upon opening (although it might not be sufficient!). Sparkling or carbonated beverages contain carbon dioxide gas that is dissolved in the liquid by pressurizing the contents of the can. When the can is opened, the mixture depressurizes and the carbon dioxide comes out of solution, escaping as carbon dioxide gas. If there is liquid between the gas bubble and the outside of the can, then some of the liquid may be pushed out of the can with the bubble. The pressure gradient when the can is opened is greatest near the opening and the carbon dioxide at the top of the can escapes first.
In addition to tapping on the can, the risk of getting soaked is reduced if the can or bottle is opened slowly rather than quickly because then the initial pressure change is less significant, so the gas can escape less forcefully. The wider the top of the container, the better the chance to avoid an accident, since there is more volume for gas without intervening liquid.