ThadisJones t1_j8fk0zg wrote on February 13, 2023 at 10:55 PM

ELI5: Sparkling drinks bubble because there's gas (carbon dioxide) dissolved in the water, and that gas collects into a visible bubble on rough surfaces that give the bubble a spot to "cling" on to. Drinking glasses are mostly smooth except for microscopic cracks and imperfections, so the gas forms bubbles slowly. Powdered or granulated drink mix is essentially nothing but rough surfaces, millions of times more rough spots than the inside of your glass. All the fizz in your drink turns into bubbles at once, and you get a handheld volcano.

ArpeggioTheUnbroken OP t1_j8fkm40 wrote on February 13, 2023 at 11:00 PM

That makes all of the sense. Thank you so much for breaking that down LI5. Lesson learned, next time I'll pour just a little at a time. The half I salvaged was really tasty so I haven't given up yet.

ThadisJones t1_j8flbqf wrote on February 13, 2023 at 11:05 PM

>next time

Dissolve your drink powder into a small amount of normal water first, so it becomes a concentrated liquid instead of a powder. Then add that into your carbonated water.

ArpeggioTheUnbroken OP t1_j8fpry4 wrote on February 13, 2023 at 11:36 PM

That is genius. Thank you. Can... I run other dumb ass ideas by you so you can tell me, scientifically, why it is a dumb ass idea? No more than like 30 times a year, tops.