Coke And Mentos Experiment

Many people conduct experiments resulting in explosive reactions without even understanding the science behind them. This can mean added danger for everyone in the lab, not to mention that it takes all the fun out of the experiment. One experiment in particular, involving Diet Coke and Mentos, can be easily manipulated in which several factors increase or prohibit the reaction. Contrary to popular belief, the reaction that occurs within this mixture is physical rather than chemical. All the components necessary to form the reaction are present at the beginning, as well as the end. Starting with the Mentos, the porous, rough outer surface allows for water molecules to enter, forming carbon dioxide bubbles as it is exposed to the diet soda.

One way to enhance the reaction would be to make sure there are plenty of nucleation sites. These are locations in which the response begins. Shaking the bottle thoroughly before adding ingredients can help create these nucleation sites where the CO2 bubbles will form. Edges that are small yet jagged are ideal for these sites. Another reaction enhancer would be to lower the surface tension. By doing this, bubbles form at a more rapid pace, also creating more at one time. This can be controlled by monitoring the ingredients of the Mentos, making sure they contain a decent amount of Gum Arabic and Gelatin, often referred to as surfactants. These ingredients react with potassium benzoate, sugar, and aspartame to lower surface tension. (Diet Coke and Mentos Explained.) Another way to speed up the reaction process would be to warm the soda as much as possible. The gases rush to escape the bottle at a higher rate, thus resulting in a more rapid explosion. Density is another factor which affects the size of the guyser. The quicker the Mentos sink to the bottom of the bottle, the greater the reaction. This is why crushing them can be detrimental to the distance that the liquid will travel. (Today I Found Out; Feed Your