Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Where can I find information on the effects of carbonation from different sodas on balloons?

What do you want to measure? Pressure, temperature, chemistry, carbon dioxide production, or something else? The question needs a little more focus.

I'm thinking probably pressure. I wanted to see if different sodas had different amounts of carbonation and which ones would fill the balloons better.

Dillon

Try doing some internet searches for "carbonation in sodas." I think you will find some interesting methods.

What do you hypothesis the effect of different sodas will be? What types of soda do you plan on testing?

Audrey

You should research the effect temperature has on the amount of CO2 dissolved in a liquid -- knowing this will help you control your experiment by eliminating the temperature variable. Temperature will have an effect on the pressure of the gas also.

I am not sure if the answers presented here address the central question, which was how much carbonation was in the soda. I also believe we may not be able to answer the question accurately. Consider that different brands have differing amounts of carbonation to start with, differing flavors appear to have differing release rates, and everything is temperature dependent.

Suggestion:
Pick one of these tests...
Stick to a single brand and flavor and hold at the same temperature and measure pressure as you shake it.
Measure pressure verses temperature.
Use test tube full capped with a balloon to measure volumne of gas released as it warms up or is shaken.

Different brands of the same flavor.