Hooked on Science: Stop shaken can from spraying soda

We go to open a can of our favorite soda, and it spews all over the place. Stop this from happening by using a little science trick that has nothing to do with tapping the top.

Materials

* Can of 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 soda.

Explanation

By tapping the side, you dislodge the carbon dioxide bubbles from the walls of the can to the top of the can. Upon opening the can, the 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 www.hookedonscience.org for webcasts and experiments that might get you hooked on science. Send him your science questions at jlindseyhookedonscience.com.