how does “shotgunning” soda cans work?
In: Physics
The idea is to drain the can as quickly as possible, which isn’t possible if there’s only one hole as you have this constant back-and-forth of liquid flowing out and air flowing back in, which interrupts the flow of liquid out.
Shotgunning relies on punching a hole in the can (to drink from), and then opening the regular tab, meaning you get one hole where liquid can flow out, and one hole where air can flow back in.
If you just cut a hole in the bottom, the flow won’t be constant, because above the liquid in the can you will have an area of lower and lower pressure that needs air to fill it so it pulls against the flow. When you open the top of the can, the liquid can just pour out unobstructed.
It can get messy so do it outside or on a surface that’s easy to clean, you take a pocketknife and put the tip of the blade against the bottom of the can then push it in to make a hole and quickly move the knife away while putting your mouth on the hole and then pop the tab and drink. be careful to not get cut
Cutting a hole in the bottom of the can allows the liquid to come out and opening the pop top forces air into the container which helps push the soda out. Kinda like an air valve on a gas can.
Have you ever had to pour out a gallon of expired milk? You know how it glub glubs if you hold it straight down? That’s because as the milk is coming out, air is trying to get in, since you can’t have a container of nothing.
But if you pour it at an angle where the entire mouth of the jug is not blocked by milk, it doesn’t glub because air and milk are both flowing.
It’s the same concept. You can’t chug a beer or soda efficiently because it will glub glub, so you just make a hole for air to fill the container while bypassing the liquid for a smooth pour.
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