Hooked on Science: Soda can shake up

Shake a can of soda and it will explode out of the can, right? Not so fast.

Materials

* Can of regular soda

Instructions

STEP 1: Excite the carbon dioxide gas bubbles inside the can of soda by rapidly shaking the can.

STEP 2: Tap the side of the can several times.

STEP 3: Open the can of soda and observe.

Explanation

By tapping the side, you dislodge the carbon dioxide gas bubbles from the walls of the can to the top of the can. Upon opening the can, the carbon dioxide gas bubbles rush out, and the soda stays in the can.

Jason Lindsey is a science outreach educator with Hooked on Science. Check out his website hookedonscience.org for webcasts and experiments that might get you hooked on science.