Why should carbonated beverages be kept cold?

• A. Carbonated beverages taste sweeter when cold due to increased carbon dioxide solubility.
• B. Cold temperatures increase the rate at which carbon dioxide escapes from the beverage.
• C. Keeping the beverage cold prevents the formation of carbonic acid.
• D. Gases are less soluble in liquids at higher temperatures, so keeping the beverage cold helps retain more dissolved carbon dioxide.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the solubility of gases in liquids depends on temperature, with gases generally being more soluble at lower temperatures.
2. Recall Henry's Law, which states that the solubility of a gas in a liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of the gas above the liquid and inversely affected by temperature.
3. Recognize that as temperature increases, the kinetic energy of gas molecules increases, making it easier for dissolved gas molecules (like CO\_2) to escape from the liquid into the gas phase.
4. Apply this concept to carbonated beverages: keeping them cold reduces the kinetic energy of CO\_2 molecules, thus increasing their solubility and keeping more CO\_2 dissolved in the beverage.
5. Conclude that keeping carbonated beverages cold helps retain more dissolved carbon dioxide, maintaining the beverage's fizziness and taste.