Why does shaking a can of coke or soda make it spray all over?

Why does shaking a can of coke or soda make it spray all over?


A can of coke or soda contains carbon dioxide gas under pressure. The pressure makes it dissolve in the Soda. Molecules in a liquid have a strong attraction for each other called surface tension. I take energy to separate them, so it is hard for the carbon dioxide inside the can form bubbles. Once a bubble formed, it takes less energy for the gas molecules to join the existing bubble.


When you open a soda can, the gas escapes slowly and the soda takes a long time to go flat. But if you shake the can first, the little bit of gas above the soda seems into the liquid as small bubbles. This gives the gas many starting points to get out in a hurried way.