Hooked on Science: Soda can shake

Materials

• 2 cans of regular soda
• Transparent cup

Instructions

• STEP 1: Pour one of the cans of regular soda into the transparent cup. Describe the soda by its observable properties.
• STEP 2: Excite the carbon dioxide gas bubbles inside the other can of soda by rapidly shaking.
• STEP 3: Place the can of soda on a flat surface and tap the side of the can several times.
• STEP 4: Carefully and slowly open the can of soda and observe. What happens? Explain how the can of soda can be used as a model to describe that matter is made of particles too small to be seen.

Explanation

By tapping the side of the can several times, you dislodge the carbon-dioxide gas bubbles from the walls of the can, to the top of the can. When the can of soda is opened, the carbon dioxide gas bubbles rush out, and the soda stays in the can.