Carbonated water

A glass of carbonated water in which the carbon dioxide bubbles are seen.

Former symphonies exhibited at a fair in Montevideo.

Carbonated water vending machine, out of service and Soviet era, Bukhara.

Carbonated water is water that contains carbonic acid (H2CO3) which, being unstable, easily breaks down into water and carbon dioxide (CO2), which comes out as bubbles when the drink is depressurized. When it has a higher mineral content, because it comes from melting ice, it is called carbonated mineral water; if the minerals are obtained artificially it is called artificially mineralized carbonated water.

It should be noted that in some countries the name soda, soda or club soda is given to carbonated water when bicarbonate is added, while simple carbonated water is called sparkling water, carbonated water, seltz water or also popularly siphon b>.

Historically, the first carbonated waters were made by adding baking soda to lemonade. An effervescent chemical reaction between the baking soda and the citric acid in the lemon produces carbon dioxide, which is released as a gas (hence the effervescence).

Pharmacists were the ones who prepared them. But soon they were sold in hotels and restaurants. They were also called refreshing sodas, refreshing powders or gas powders. These powders are now referred to as "litin water" (neologism for Lethines).

These sachets provided an alkaline and lithium-containing water, which was considered beneficial with properties in curing various diseases.

In an industrial way, carbonated water is prepared by adding carbonic acid and carbon dioxide in an exothermic reaction in pressure storage tanks so that there is no depressurization and dissociation of minerals. From this process, calcium carbonate comes out as residue.

Carbonated water is usually consumed in combination with alcoholic beverages such as whiskey, Campari, gin, or wine, although some people often consume it on its own. It is also used to produce various carbonated drinks by adding flavorings.

Chemistry

Water with carbon dioxide produces a chemical equilibrium with carbonic acid:

H₂O + CO₂ ≤2₂CO₃

H₂CO₃ ≤2⁺ + HCO₃^-

HCO₃^- ≤2⁺ + CO₃^-2=

News

Currently, carbonated water is manufactured by passing pressurized carbon dioxide through the water in a process known as carbonation. This increases the solubility. For example, more CO₂ dissolves in a container of water at high pressure than under normal atmospheric conditions. When the pressure is reduced, for example when opening the bottle, the gas dissociates from the solution, creating the characteristic bubbles.

In some countries, the legislation prescribes that the presentation of carbonated water be identified with some element that distinguishes it from non-carbonated water. An example is the case of Chile, where the color of the lid of the container determines if the bottled water is carbonated or not; this is how you have for example:

• Red = ungasified water.
• Blue = gasified water.
• Green = semi-gassed water (50 %).

Uses

The most popular forms of carbonated water are flavored, and are commonly called sodas or sodas (although this name is also applied to non-carbonated ones). These are widely sold all over the world.

On the other hand, carbonated water is considered useful for removing stains, for example, from coffee or silver. A commonly used method of preventing red wine stains is to sprinkle salt on the stain and then apply a generous amount of club soda.