Why do some people tap the tops of soda cans before opening them? is whatever they are doing work?

Question

some one must have gone around giving everyone here thunbs down because it was not me

Answer 1

It't supposed to keep the carbination down, although I am not really sure if it actually works.

Answer 2

if you tap the tops of soda cans before opening them, the soda wont squirt out. try it. if you shake the soda can a lot, when you open it, it will all squirt out. but if you shake it, then tap the can before opening, it wont squirt out.  

Answer 3

they are supposedily preventing it from bubbling over like it does when you shake up soda. I don't think that it works.

Answer 4

It's supposed to get rid of the carbonation at the top of the liquid so that it doesn't go PFFT in your face when you open it...or spill out all over you.

I don't think it works.

Answer 5

It can (but is not guaranteed to) stop a possible explosion of carbonation from a can that has been shaken.

Explanation:

http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/questio...

Answer 6

When you tap the top of the can, it knocks the air bubbles and stuff down, giving you time to open the can without it spraying or splattering on you or your hands.

I'm guessing someone came in here and just Thumbed us all down.

Answer 7

I do it. It's just a habit I picked up since someone told me once that tapping the lid keeps the can from running over. It really doesn't work, but it's just a habit now.

Answer 8

It prevents the soda from spraying when you tap it

Answer 9

the tapping is believed to prevent the can from fizzing when it is opened..... carbonated soda, or beer, or whatever.  Fact of the matter is, is doesn't work, and in fact has the exact opposite effect.  

Answer 10

It is to pop all the bubbles so they don't splurt into your face when you open the can. And yes, it works, believe me...

Answer 11

no reason...  myth is that if you tap on it,  the soda shall not fizz... which is total c**p.

same goes for shaking a champagne bottle before opening..  it's just a fool who does those things.

Answer 12

Tapping the top will usually prevent the soda from spraying.

Answer 13

DOES it work, do you mean?

Answer 14

When I was younger, my mom told me that it gets rid of the bubbles that make it spray you when it is opened.  I don't know if this is true or not, but if you pour the soda in a clear glass cup, you will see bubbles all around the cup and if you tap the glass around the rim, or hit the glass on a table softly, the bubbles will disappear, so I think it is the same thing as when people tap the can.