Naked Science Forum
General Science => General Science => Topic started by: harryneild on 23/04/2006 22:27:02
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I have seen it a lot where people take cans of coke out of their bag after probably a lot of bouncing about. Now if they simply opened the can, then the drink would spray everywhere, all over the person. But if they give the can a couple of sharp taps on the top of the can before opening it, there is none of this spraying business.
What is the reason for this? Why would tapping the can stop it from spraying everywhere?
"Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, and increased constantly, or it vanishes." Peter F. Drucker
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Hmm im not so sure because i had a science teacher tell me it was correct a while ago. I can't remember what he said so could someone clear this up with? Im sure there is something to it.
"Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, and increased constantly, or it vanishes." Peter F. Drucker
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The reason that a shaken up drink will explode is that there are lots of little bubbles in the liquid which will grow rapidly when the pressure is reduced. Normally there are not many places for bubbles to form so the not many bubbles can form at once. Possibly what hitting the can does is cause these bubbles to release from the sides and float up to the surface so reducing the number of nucleation points (places where bubbles can start) so calming down the process of opening the drink.
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I wonder if that's why a can which tumbles out from a drink dispenser doesn't spray all over the place when opened, as one would expect it to?
Chris
"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
- Groucho Marx
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maz ur comments on this forum are nonesense and I know you don't expect any serious comments. Why do you litter the topics with silly posts? Do you get a kick out of it? Why don't you do us a favour and just leave?
"Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, and increased constantly, or it vanishes." Peter F. Drucker
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Exactly what I thought...
[EDIT] - Hmm not sure if i believe that...
"Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, and increased constantly, or it vanishes." Peter F. Drucker
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maz- surely the solution to the idiot-brother problem would be to alter your login password, make sure the site doesn't remember it when you log in, and log out consistently when you finish..?
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Back to the original question [:I] I don't come on here often and have only posted once, mainly cos' i'm not clever enough to join in with most of it..but.. I really would like an answer to this because as far as i can tell it does work.
Daveshorts' answer seems pretty sensible, but i've noticed that three gentle taps to the can works best. why ?
jo[:)]
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Supposedly that when you tap the top of the cap, it opens an opening (either by stretching or breaking) just enough for some fizz to come out. As the fizz rushes up the can, the force of the taps would push the top down, forcing some fizz out. The rate of the escaping fizz is too weak to raise the liquid within, and therefore it doesn't burst or bubble into a catastrophe.
I've never had the situation much.
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does tapping on the top of the cap increase the pressure inside the can?
and what does shaking the can do to the pressure?
Laith
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quote:
Originally posted by fm47
Supposedly that when you tap the top of the cap, it opens an opening (either by stretching or breaking) just enough for some fizz to come out
an opening??!
Laith
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If I have a can or bottle with ' about to erupt ' qualities I let wifey open it in the garage or in the garden...that cures it for me every time !...and it's also funny and provides a source of entertainment for all the family !! [:D][:D]
Men are the same as women, just inside out !
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this is a question all college kids should know the answer to
It just works
So if that Bud, or Yeungling, or Pabst, or even Heiniken
feels warm or pressurized beyond safety
tap it on the top
(unless you're around that dude that keeps being an arshole, or a friend who might appreciate it)[:D]