How come when you burp while drinking soda and exhale the air through your nose, it stings?
In: Biology
When you put carbondioxide (CO2) into water (H2O), you create Carbonic Acid (H2CO3).
CO2 + H2O —> H2CO3
When you disturb the solution of carbonic acid, by shaking the soda, drinking the soda, or putting objects (mentos, anyone?) into the soda, you reverse the process.
The carbonic acid breaks down into water and CO2. The CO2 is released as bubbles/gas/fizz.
H2CO3 —> H2O + CO2
If you send a high enough concentration of CO2 through your nose, it will react with the water in your mucus, and once again create carbonic acid.
CO2 + H2O —> H2CO3
The acid now tingles your nose.
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