# Why does shaking  soda release bubbles?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-shaking-soda-release-bubbles/522263>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 23, 2009, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-shaking-soda-release-bubbles/522263 "2009-12-23T01:19:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![UncleFred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f0a364/32.png) [@UncleFred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleFred)\
**Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-shaking-soda-release-bubbles/522263/1 "2009-12-23T01:19:13Z")

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I know there’s carbonation in a liquid that can get out via nucleation sites.

But what is there about the shaking of a liquid that causes the rush of fizz?

Two experiments;

I open a bottle of seltzer that was sitting on the shelf. I usually get a small amount of bubbling. However if I open a different bottle that has recently been shaken or dropped, and allowed to sit for a few seconds, I get far more fizz.

Next - We’ve all done this; put your thumb over the end of an open bottle of (not stale) soda. Give a good shake and now squirt your friends!

What exactly is going on?

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**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\
**Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-shaking-soda-release-bubbles/522263/2 "2009-12-23T02:04:51Z")

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Shaking creates the equivalent of a nucleation by breaking up a large pocket of CO2 into tiny bubbles. The Mentos drop without the Mentos!