Carbonated Water

Definition

Carbonated water is water into which carbon dioxide gas under pressure has been dissolved, a process that causes the water to become effervescent or fizzy.

Analogy

Think of carbonated water like a dance party. The water molecules are the dance floor and the carbon dioxide molecules are the dancers. When you open a bottle of soda, it's like turning on the music at the party - all those CO2 'dancers' start to move around and escape from the 'dance floor', causing bubbles and fizz.

Related terms

Saturated Solution: A solution in which no more solute can be dissolved in a specific amount of solvent at a particular temperature.

Effervescence: The process of bubbling as gas escapes.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2): A colorless, odorless gas produced by burning carbon and organic compounds and by respiration. It is naturally present in air (about 0.03 percent) and is absorbed by plants in photosynthesis.