Finding Carbon Dioxide in Softdrinks

Angela Michaela C. Lopez

Grade 9 Room 7, St. Paul College, Pasig

Abstract This laboratory report is about the laboratory

experiment in which we were meant to find the Carbon dioxide
in a 500 ml Coca-Cola bottle. The laboratory experiment will be
further discussed through the report.
Keywords Carbon dioxide, CO2, Carbonation, Soft drink,
Bubble formation

I. OBJECTIVE
At the end of this experiment, the students must be able to:
find the amount of carbonation in a bottle of soft
drinks;
learn the importance of the knowledge of
carbonation and carbon dioxide; and
be able to expound on the importance and share it
to other people.
II. EXPERIMENTAL METHOD
A. Materials
500 ml bottle of soft drinks
Aquarium tubing
Beaker/Jar
Bowl
Bottle cap
B. Procedure
First, cut a hole on the bottle cap separate from the
cap on the 500 ml soft drink, enough to fit the
aquarium tubing.
Second, put the aquarium tubing in the bottle cap,
with a little excess, and glue it in place.
Third, fill the beaker/jar with 2 cups of water, and fill
the bowl full of water.
Fourth, put the jar in an upside down position in the
bowl, so that the water will not escape during the
experiment. Record the water level.
Fifth, use the bottle cap with the aquarium tubing to
replace the bottle cap on the soft drink. Put the other
end of the tube inside the beaker. This will bring the
gas to travel through the tube. Record the water level.
III. DATA AND CALCULATION

TABLE I
DATA DURING THE EXPERIMENT
Amount of CocaCola

Amount of Water

Amount
of
Carbon dioxide

300 ml

Initial: 200 ml

10 ml

Final: 210 ml
In this table, it is shown that the amount of Coca-Cola in the
bottle that was used is 300 ml. While the amount of water
added to the beaker was 200 ml. And after the experiment and
procedure, the water rose to 210 ml. The amount of carbon
dioxide found during the experiment was 10 ml.
IV. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound that is vital to the
development of life on Earth. It is colorless, odorless, and an
incombustible gas. It is common in Soft Drinks, which may be
called carbonated drinks. The carbon dioxides effect is to
give the drink its sparkle and tangy taste and preventing
spoilage. The carbonation causes a bubble formation that rises
in the bottle when opened.
When we put the tube cap on the Coca-Cola bottle, and the
other end inside the beaker, the carbon dioxide exit the bottle
and into the beaker filled water. And we used water
displacement to find the amount of carbon dioxide. Water
displacement is when the amount of water level increases, we
can find the volume of the substance added. We got the result
of 10 ml, displaced in the water.
Carbon dioxide in soft drinks is to give a pleasant acidic
flavor and an interesting mouth-feel. This gives the consumer
interest. Therefore, for me, the carbon dioxide may be used as
an accessory. Maybe to hide the high fructose in the drink, but
an accessory nonetheless. Soft drinks are incredibly unhealthy,
and yet it is still an incredibly popular drink.
V. CONCLUSION
After this experiment, we have found the carbonation and
its use in the soft drinks. Which was to give a tangy and acidic
flavour. We also found the importance of carbonation and
carbon dioxide, which was to convert into compounds vital to
our survival. Outside school and this experiment, we will
share this knowledge in order to inspire and remember the
importance of carbon dioxide to the world.
VI.REFERENCES
[1]

Soft Drink: Encyclopedia Britannica; Harry Edward Korab

[2]
[3]

Master the Action: Carbonation: Brew; Rob Lauriston

Why is Carbon present in Soft Drinks?: Quora; Joshua Engel