Having a Gas with Cola
Source Institutions
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The Exploratorium
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In this activity, learners measure the amount of carbon dioxide in a carbonated drink. Learners work in teams of at least two to extract, collect, and measure gas (volume) from a can or bottle of cola. Learners can also compare the volume of gas to the mass loss and determine the molarity of the CO2 in the cola.
- Under 5 minutes
- 45 to 60 minutes
- $1 - $5 per group of students
- Ages 11 - 18
- Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- Large Ziploc® bag or other type of sealable bag (1 gallon size or larger)
- Can or small plastic bottle of cola (355 to 1 liter) - room temperature to slightly warm
- 1 one-liter Graduated cylinder (or cut open a 1 or 2 liter plastic bottle)
- Large bowl or other catch basin
- Nucleation source - Salt, Mentos, Lifesavers, Sugar or any other nucleation/catalyst for getting carbon dioxide out of solution
Subjects
- Mathematics
- Algebra
- Equations and Inequalities
- Variables and Expressions
- Data Analysis and Probability
- Data Analysis
- Data Collection
- Data Representation
- Measurement
- Number and Operations
- Fractions
- Algebra
- Physical Sciences
- Chemistry
- Solutions
- States of Matter
- Liquids
- Gases
- Changes of Phase
- Structure and Properties of Matter
- Mass and Weight
- Volume and Density
- Chemistry
- The Nature of Science
- The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
- Gathering Data
- Formulating Explanations
- The Scientific Process
Informal Categories
- Food and Cooking
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- read
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves teamwork and communication skills
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
- Muller, Eric
Rights:
- All Rights Reserved, Exploratorium, ©2006
