Final answer:
When opening champagne, one should twist the bottle while holding the cork steady. It is important not to shake the bottle to avoid excessive pressure buildup. The phenomenon of breaking a bottle by pounding a cork relates to the incompressibility of liquids, which create a shockwave that fractures the glass when no air is present to absorb the force.
Step-by-step explanation:
When opening a champagne bottle, the correct method is to hold the cork steady and twist the bottle (a). This allows for better control and minimizes the chances of the cork flying off uncontrollably. It is crucial never to shake the bottle (d) before opening, as this will increase the pressure inside and can cause the champagne to gush out, potentially leading to injuries or wasted champagne.
Regarding the physics concept related to the breaking of a wine bottle by pounding a cork, the bottle breaks when there's no air between the cork and liquid because liquids are incompressible. When you apply force to the cork, the energy is transferred directly to the liquid and then to the glass, causing a high-pressure shockwave that can fracture the glass. In contrast, if there is an air cushion, the air compresses and absorbs some of the shock, thereby protecting the glass from breaking.