Tap Myth Tilt: The Real Physics Behind Soda Foam

Tapping a shaken soda can isn’t reliably effective at preventing fizzing. The CO2 in carbonated drinks is supersaturated, and tapping can create pressure waves that briefly dislodge some bubbles, but it also can generate new nucleation sites, with studies showing little to no difference in foam or content loss between tapped and untapped cans. For fewer spills, let the can rest upright, keep it cold, and open slowly to vent gas before full opening.