Fluid appearing colorless when poured

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In summary, when soda is released from a fountain, the carbonated water and syrup are not yet thoroughly mixed, leading to a mostly colorless appearance with only thin stripes of color. This is due to the selective absorption of different wavelengths by the soda, which decreases in intensity as less soda is present. This effect is also seen when a drop of soda is spread on a glass or mirrored surface.
  • #1
Abbeyb37
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I apologise if this seems like a random question, but I can't seem to explain it...

In these pictures, why is it, that at some points during the descent of the colored fluid, that it appears colorless:

http://abbeyb37.googlepages.com/coke.jpg
http://abbeyb37.googlepages.com/coke2.jpg
http://abbeyb37.googlepages.com/fanta.jpg

I thought it to be some kind of scattering effect, but to be honest, I haven't reached a decent conclusion...

Any help would be appreciated,
Abbeyb37
 
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  • #2
Soda fountains have nozzles which release mostly carbonated water (which is bubbly and appears white) along with a few thin jets of colored syrup along the sides. The bulk of the liquid appears white, with only two thin stripes of color along the sides.

Some fountains also pulse the amount of syrup released by the nozzle. During some periods, nothing but carbonated water is being released.

The coloration effects have nothing to do with light or scattering or anything else -- the carbonated water and syrup are just not yet thoroughly mixed. If you pour pre-mixed Coke out of a bottle, it looks like Coke.

- Warren
 
  • #3
Soda has a color becasue it selectively absorbs different wavelengths. The less soda there is, the less absorption that can occur and so the intensity of color is decreased. Let a drop of soda spread on glass or a mirrored surface and it will also appear colorless.
 

1. Why does the fluid appear colorless when poured?

This is due to the physics of light and the properties of the fluid. When light passes through a transparent or colorless substance, it does not interact with any particles or molecules that would cause it to change color. Therefore, the fluid appears colorless when poured.

2. Can a fluid still be considered colorless if it appears slightly tinted when poured?

Yes, a fluid can still be considered colorless if it appears slightly tinted when poured. This could be due to impurities or trace amounts of color-causing molecules present in the fluid. However, the tint should be very faint and not significantly alter the overall appearance of the fluid.

3. Are there any factors that can cause a colorless fluid to appear colored when poured?

Yes, there are several factors that can cause a colorless fluid to appear colored when poured. These include the thickness or density of the fluid, the lighting conditions, and the presence of other substances that may interact with the fluid and alter its color.

4. Can the color of a fluid change as it is poured?

Yes, the color of a fluid can change as it is poured. This is because the movement and agitation of the fluid can cause light to interact with different molecules in the fluid, resulting in a change in color perception. Additionally, as the fluid spreads out and becomes thinner, it may appear a different color than when it was in a thicker or more concentrated state.

5. How can the color of a fluid be accurately determined when it is poured?

To accurately determine the color of a fluid when it is poured, it is important to control for the lighting conditions and surrounding environment. Additionally, using a white background or container can help neutralize any tint or hue that may be present in the fluid. It may also be helpful to compare the color of the fluid to a known standard or use a colorimeter to measure the exact color of the fluid.

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