why is water fizzy when it comes out of the tap

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why is water fizzy when it comes out of the tap

In: Chemistry

4 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Most taps have aerators on them that mix a bunch air in with the water as it flows out to give the effect of using more water when washing dishes or hands. Without it the water would come out as a smaller stream that doesn’t really flow around as easily over what you’re washing. Basically it’s for saving water without really seeming like you’re saving water.

Anonymous 0 Comments

Many taps have a small grill over the output. This breaks up the water and causes it to mix with the air.

The aerator has a few benefits.

1. It results in faster water coming out of the spout as a result of it being concentrated into a smaller region. This can help with things like cleaning dishes.
2. It reduces the effect of the entire water stream being redirected and absolutely flooding something. Ever accidentally hold a spoon under the tap? It’s so much worse without the aerator.
3. It actually reduces water usage.

Anonymous 0 Comments

Air gets mixed into the water because of the turbulence and sloshing and the bubbling is the air escaping.

Anonymous 0 Comments

To add to the other answers, Water is sometimes cloudy out of the tap not just because of aerators but for the same reason a glass of water left to sit has air bubbles inside. Your pipes will have that effect on the inside as well while the water sits unused in the pipe as it changes temperature and can dissolve less air. When you turn the water on all the flow pushes the air bubbles up the pipe. If you have a laminar flow nozzle, instead of an aerator it produces a [metaphorical water laser beam](https://imgur.com/gallery/n6z7Z), you will see this effect more clearly since it’s not being obscured by aerators.