leaky batteries!

From: Peter C. Wallace <pcw_at_mesanet.com>
Date: Tue Dec 2 13:55:04 2003

On Tue, 2 Dec 2003, Joe wrote:

>
> Coke has
> >sugar and caffiene mixed in, but also has a good deal of phosophoric
> >acid in it.
>
> I don't think coke has but a trace of phosphoric acid. I think the main
> ingrediant (besides water) is carbonic acid (CO2 and water). Phosphorus is
> some NASTY stuff. It's used in rat poison and I've seen the skeletons of
> animals that have ingested it. It causes the bones to litterally crumble
> away. I do my best not to get it on my skin and I always rinse VERY well
> after using it.


        Phosphorus is toxic (white Phosphorus, the kind that used to be used
in rat poison, is especially toxic) but Phosphoric acid is not toxic (though
it is a strong acid so a concentrated solution _will_ burn you)

        I would guess that Coca Colas main tartness comes from Phosporic acid
so it must have a fair amount (PH 2.5 - 3)

        In the olden days you could get a "Cherry Phosphate" at the Soda
Fountain. These are made tart by adding a few drops of concentrated
Phosphoric acid...


Peter Wallace
Received on Tue Dec 02 2003 - 13:55:04 GMT