Carbonation in Soda

Trial 1

11. Repeat the activity again to see if the results both agree.

Trial 2

12. Using graph paper or a computer equipped with Excel® visually display the data in the table by first averaging the time and temperature results, then plotting a bar or line graph of temperature verse amount of time for gas release.
13. The temperatures of the water are displayed along the horizontal axis and the time of visible "fizzing" or effervescences is displayed along the vertical axis.

Why?

The carbonation in soda occurs whengases, such as carbon dioxide, are dissolved into a liquid such as water or corn syrup. When a gas contacts a liquid it naturally dissolves into the liquid until it becomes saturated. The gas will continue to dissolve into the liquid until the pressure in the liquid is equal to the pressure that pushes down on the liquid. In order to dissolve more gas into the liquid, the gas must be placed under additional pressure.

When gas bubbles rise to the surface of a liquid and "pop," the gas goes into the air above the liquid. So, watching bubbles rise to the surface and pop will be used to give a sense of how much gas is being released from the solution. In this project a comparison will be made of the amount of CO2 gas that leaves club soda at cold, room, and warm temperatures by observing the number of bubbles that rise from each. Based on the results of this investigation a data table will be prepared and the results potted on a graph. A practical benefit gained from conducting this project is that the young investigator will be to answer the question of why carbonated beverages "go flat"when they are not stored in the refrigerator.