Where does the fizz in soda pop come from?

(Lansing State Journal, March 30, 1994)

The fizz in you soft drink is carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide, like most gases, doesn't dissolve in water very easily. It takes a lot of pressure to force the gas into the liquid solutions we know as soda pop.

At bottling factories, carbon dioxide is forced into the soda, and the can or bottle is quickly sealed. You can tell that there is more pressure inside of a can of soda by listening for the sound of the gas escaping when you open it.

Besides high pressures, lower temperatures also help keep carbon dioxide dissolved. At soda fountains, drinks generally come out cold because the water is pre-cooled.

You may already know from experience how to keep soda from getting flat. By keeping the bottle closed and cool, one can minimize the amount of carbon dioxide that escapes.

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