A Demonstration of What Happens When Lithium Is Added to 7Up Soda

In an episode of Periodic Videos, Sir Martyn Poliakoff demonstrated what happens when lithium is added to 7Up soda.

When a piece of metallic lithium was added to the drink it began to heat up, bubble, and change color. Poliakoff went on to explain how he and his team attempted to figure out exactly what caused the reaction, and exactly what in the soda caused the changes.

As Poliakoff explains, the experiment began essentially as a joke because 7Up used to contain lithium salts.