Why do the bubbles in a carbonated beverage all come from the same spot?

Question

When pouring a carbonated beverage in a glass, there is a steady stream of bubbles all originating from the same spots all around the glass. Why aren’t the bubbles random or evenly distributed?

Thanks!

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

While CO2 gas can escape from the solution from anywhere, small imperfections on the sides of the glass form what are called nucleation points – places where it is easier for the gas to leave solution and form larger bubbles. As gas escapes, more gas uses the nucleation point to escape afterwards.

That is one of the reasons behind the Mentos-Diet Coke fountains that were all the rage years ago. The Mentos candy is covered in nucleation points, allowing the gas to rapidly escape once submerged.