Ask A Scientist Chemistry Archive

(Created prior to 1993)

Question: A student in our high school is going to do an experiment with 
soda pop.  She was looking for information about soda, carbonation.  We 
located a line in the Science Encyclopedia and a short paragraph in the World 
book (an old edition).  Searches in chemistry library books did not yield much 
in the way of exciting information.  Can you tell me what resources to use in 
looking for information about carbonation?  Many thanks for your patience.
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Well, I am going to nose around a little and see what I can find 
out, but one suggestion I might make is for her to write to various soft drink 
companies (especially local ones!).  If there are any bottling plants in your 
area, give them a call and I am sure that someone who knows about this topic 
would be glad to spare a little time.  Also, it might be worthwhile to call 
someone in the food science or home economics department of your local college 
or university.  Here are some references:
1  "Beverages: carbonated and noncarbonated" by J.G.Woodroof and G.F. Phillips 
(Westport, CT, AVI Pub.Co., 1974).
2  "A history of the American soft drink industry; bottled carbonated 
beverages, 1807-1957" by J.J. Riley (Washinton, American Bottlers of Carb. 
Bev., 1958).
3  "Manufacture and analysis of carbonated beverages" by M.B. Jacobs (New 
York, Chemical Pub. Co., 1959).
4  "Soda pop; the history, advertising, art and memorabilia of soft drinks in 
America" by L. Dietz (New York, Simon and Schuster, 1973).
Hope these help!
Topper
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