Why do soft drinks fizz?

Soft drinks fizz because they contain dissolved carbon dioxide gas. Here's the breakdown:

* Carbonation: During the manufacturing process, carbon dioxide gas is forced into the drink under high pressure. This process is called carbonation.

* Solubility: At high pressure, CO2 gas becomes more soluble in the liquid, just like sugar dissolves in water.

* Pressure Release: When you open the can or bottle, the pressure is released. This causes the CO2 gas to come out of solution and form bubbles.

* Nucleation Sites: Tiny imperfections on the inside of the container or even dust particles in the drink provide nucleation sites for the bubbles to form.

The Fizz: The bubbles rise to the surface, creating the characteristic fizz of a soft drink.

Fun Fact: The higher the pressure used during carbonation, the more CO2 dissolves and the more fizz the drink will have.