Soda bubble formation rate on plastic straw and glass cup

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the phenomenon of soda bubble formation on plastic straws versus glass cups. It is established that plastic straws, particularly those made from PET (polyethylene terephthalate), exhibit a significant property of bubble adsorption, leading to a quicker bubble formation rate when compared to glass. This characteristic makes PET an effective material for storing carbonated beverages, enhancing flavor retention and fizz. The conversation suggests further exploration of bubble adsorption properties in glass straws as a comparative study.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of bubble dynamics in liquids
  • Knowledge of material properties, specifically PET (polyethylene terephthalate)
  • Familiarity with adsorption principles in chemistry
  • Basic concepts of carbonation in beverages
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the adsorption properties of different materials, focusing on PET and glass
  • Investigate the role of surface tension in bubble formation
  • Explore the chemistry of carbonation in beverages
  • Conduct experiments comparing bubble formation rates in plastic versus glass straws
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for chemists, materials scientists, beverage industry professionals, and anyone interested in the physical properties of materials and their interaction with carbonated liquids.

RubinLicht
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I observed that if you pour soda into a glass cup and leave the straw inside, bubbles seem to form on the plastic cup at a much much quicker rate. Why is this? Why do bubbles form on the straw at all?

Not sure if this should be in general physics or chemistry
 
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Something i found while doing research, they state that PET has a specific property to absorb bubbles, but why?

Plastic straws have a specific property to adsorb bubbles. This property is more significant in PET (poly ethylene terephthalate) and hence these bottles serve as good containers to store aerated drinks to retain flavor and fizz. Some of us can try and see whether straws made of glass can adsorb bubbles just like plastic straws.
 

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