Why does a can of soda left in the car on a hot summer day explode?
Why does a can of soda left in the freezer eplode?
In summer, the amount of CO2 gas that can remain dissolved decreases with increasing temperature. The increasing CO2 gas pressure can break the can.
In as freezer, the higher volume of frozen H2O will ripe the can open. Aluminum cannot expand enough without breaking.
Last year, I left a case of canned soday in my cooler out on the deck. Winter came, and freezing cold came. I found out not only aluminum can't handle the expansion, but that soda cans are made thinner than just a few years ago. What a mess. Don't leave your soda cans in the cooler outside.
A can of soda left in a car on a hot summer day, as well as a can of soda left in the freezer, can potentially explode due to different reasons:
1. Heat in the car: When a can of soda is left in a car on a hot summer day, the temperature inside the vehicle can rise significantly. The heat causes the molecules in the soda to move faster and collide more frequently, resulting in an increase in pressure inside the closed can. If the pressure becomes too high, it can cause the can to burst or explode.
2. Freezing in the freezer: When a can of soda is placed in the freezer, the liquid inside the can will start to freeze and expand. Unlike most substances, water expands as it freezes. When the soda freezes and expands, it creates pressure inside the can. If the can is not able to withstand this pressure, it can rupture or explode. Additionally, the carbonation in the soda can further contribute to increasing pressure as it expands when frozen.
In both scenarios, it's important to note that the can's structural integrity and the material it is made of also play a role. If a can is weakened or damaged, it may be more prone to exploding in extreme temperatures.
A can of soda left in a car on a hot summer day or in the freezer can potentially explode due to different reasons.
When a can of soda is left in a hot car, the high temperatures can cause the liquid inside to expand rapidly. Soda contains carbon dioxide gas, which is dissolved in the liquid under high pressure. As the liquid heats up, the carbon dioxide gas also expands. Since the can is sealed, the pressure inside increases significantly. If the pressure becomes too great to be contained by the can, it can rupture or even explode. This can happen if the temperature exceeds the threshold at which the combination of high pressure and expanding gas becomes too much for the can to handle.
Similarly, when a can of soda is placed in a freezer, the liquid inside freezes and turns into ice. As water freezes, it expands by about 9%. This expansion can put tremendous pressure on the can, potentially causing it to burst open or explode. Additionally, when the soda is exposed to freezing temperatures for an extended period of time and then thawed, the expanding and contracting of the liquid can weaken the integrity of the can, making it more prone to rupture or explode.
In both cases, the combination of changing temperatures, expanding volume, and sealed container can lead to the can of soda exploding. It is important to handle carbonated beverages with care and avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures to prevent accidents.