Question

Carbonated drinks in cans have a small amount of space above the liquid level inside the can known as the “headspace.” What would be true about the gas in this headspace if the can is opened? Volume stays constant. Pressure stays constant. Temperature stays constant.

Answer 1

The temperature will stay constant.

Answer 2

Answer: The temperature remains constant.

Explanation: Carbonated drinks have carbon dioxide mixed in water at high pressures as the solubility increases with high pressure. So, when we open the can at atmospheric pressure, the pressure will decrease and the solubility also decreases which will result in the increase in volume.

This phenomena is explained by Boyle's Law:

This law states that pressure is inversely proportional to the volume of the gas at constant temperature and number of moles.

$P\propto \frac{1}{V}$

Increase in pressure will result in decrease of volume and vice versa.

So, when we open the can of a carbonated drink, the pressure and volume changes but the temperature remains constant.