2. Make sure to check out our collection of simple science experiments for kids.. Our science experiments are designed with you, the parent or teacher, in mind! Kuntzleman, T. S.; Davenport, L. S.;  Cothran, V. I.; Kuntzleman, J. T.; Campbell, D. J. Cover the opening of the test tube with an index card or similar slim, small paper. This in turn causes Equations 2 and 3 to be driven to the right, increasing the acidity of the oceans. Here, the Daily Mail Online attempts the Coke experiment. For Demonstrations: Please refer to the ACS Division of Chemical Education Safety Guidelines for Chemical Demonstrations. Soda geysters, which can reach as high as ten meters, were a popular subject for viral videos in the early 2000's, but the science behind the spectacle remained a mystery until 2008. Thus, the process represented in Equation 1 – which powers the Coke and Mentos fountain – is a physical change. Get to know more about ketogenic diet and Diet Coke And Mentos Reaction Equation here on this site. Bubble nucleation and growth in carbonated beverages almost always occur by heterogeneous nucleation: diffusion of carbon dioxide into pre-existing bubbles within the beverage. Drop several Mentos into a bottle of coke or lemonade, and a huge eruption of bubbles shoots out several meters high. Planning and carrying out investigations in 9-12 builds on K-8 experiences and progresses to include investigations that provide evidence for and test conceptual, mathematical, physical, and empirical models. in Mentos are basic: sugar, glucose syrup, hydrogenated coconut oil, gelatin, dextrin, natural flavor, corn starch, gum arabic. Our readers are most interested in finding activities linked to NGSS, support for teaching AP chemistry, tips to make their labs and classwork more efficient, and help with creating better assessment tools, just to name a few topics. [15] Amazing Toys, Spangler's toy company, released the Geyser Tube toys in February 2007. Kuntzleman, T. S., Color Changing Coke and Mentos Experiments, Tommy Technicium YouTube Channel, August 30, 2020Â, For Laboratory Work: Please refer to the ACS Guidelines for Chemical Laboratory Safety in Secondary Schools (2016). Our Mentos and soda experiment is a fun example of a physical reaction. 2020, 97, 980–985. Remove the pack of Mentos from the tube. Just drop a few Mentos candies into a bottle of a carbonated beverage and watch the magic take place! The solid matter is basically milk that has been curdled by the addition of the more acidic soda. 4. J. Phys. 2 The physical reaction that drives the eruption also causes a chemical reaction that slightly increases the pH of the soda. The students measured how far different concoctions sprayed and how much mass they shed in the reaction. (this video also is quite noisy) This is not chemical reaction… It has also been shown that a wide variety of beverage additives such as sugars, citric acid, and natural flavors can also enhance fountain heights. They mixed Diet Coke and Fruit Mentos, Diet Coke and Wint-O-Green LifeSavers, Diet Coke … I’m looking forward to trying other combinations of sodas and indicators to see if other color changes can be generated. To see the color change, it was necessary to use a colorless beverage rather than colas or other colored drinks when doing so. To see this, recall that dissolved CO2 reacts with water to form carbonic acid (H2CO3): Carbonic acid is a weak acid, so it dissociates into a proton and bicarbonate ion (HCO3-): Upon addition of Mentos candies, CO2 escapes sodas and the amount of dissolved CO2 in the soda becomes depleted (Equation 1). Defining the process or system boundaries, and the components of the process or system: In their analysis, students identify the physical system in which the problem is embedded, including the major elements and relationships in the system and boundaries so as to clarify what is and is not part of the problem: and In their analysis, students describe* societal needs and wants that are relative to the problem. The solution becomes supersaturated with carbon dioxide when the bottle is opened, and the pressure is released. Group members names: Greg Giannone, Jesse Specter, Alex Stewart, Catherine Parker … [9][10], In the 1910s, Wint-O-Green Life Savers were used to create soda geysers. Probing the Mechanism of Bubble Nucleation in and the Effect of Atmospheric Pressure on the Candy-Cola Soda Geyser J. Chem. A Diet Coke and Mentos Eruption (also known as a soda geyser) is a reaction between the carbonated beverage Diet Coke and Mentos mints that causes the beverage to expel from its container. All rights reserved. However, once the CO2 concentration drops below the critical value, the CO2 can no longer degas. Carbonic acid is the reactant. The addition of the Mentos leads to the rapid nucleation of carbon dioxide gas bubbles precipitating out of the solution: This causes the foaming you can see when adding Mentos to coke. aq 2006, 83, 577–580. Educ. Water and carbon dioxide are the products. Paper tube made by rolling a half-sheet of paper loosely around the Mentos roll and securing with tape – or you can just use the Mentos label 2 Mentos are fairly dense objects and so tend to sink rapidly in the liquid. *More information about all DCI for HS-PS1 can be found at https://www.nextgenscience.org/dci-arrangement/hs-ps1-matter-and-its-interactions and further resources at https://www.nextgenscience.org. To understand how to pull this off, it is first instructive to briefly describe how this impressive geyser forms. [19][12][14][17] It has been claimed that gelatin and gum arabic in the Mentos candy enhance the fountain,[12][14][25] but experiments have shown that these candy additives do not affect the fountain. Please drop me a line in the comments if you try this demonstration on your own – or learn how to produce other color changes! [2], The nucleation reaction can start with any heterogeneous surface, such as rock salt, but Mentos have been found to work better than most. Phosphoric Acid molecules attach to the milk giving them more density and separate out while the remaining liquid that makes up the milk and cocoa cola now being lighter floats on top. [17] This record was afterward beaten in November 2014 by another event organized by Perfetti Van Melle and Chupa Chups in León, Guanajuato, Mexico, where 4,334 Mentos and soda fountains were set off simultaneously. You can see me carrying out this experiment along with other explorations in the video below: Video 2: The Science of Diet Coke and Mentos, Tommy Technicium YouTube Channel, August 26, 2020 11. What a simple experiment: add the indicator to club soda, boil the resulting mixture, and watch the rainbow slowly unfold over time! I tested this by adding Mentos to club soda that was boiled to remove the CO2. If anything, addition of Mentos decreases the pH! It is fair to ask if it is not the escape of CO2, but rather basic compounds in the Mentos that is responsible for the shift to higher pH and concomitant color change in the indicator. COKE AND MENTOS. The activation energy for the release of carbon dioxide from Diet Coke by the addition of Mentos is 25 kJ mol−1. ⇀ [24] These results suggest that additives serve to enhance geyser heights not by decreasing surface tension, but rather by decreasing bubble coalescence. Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants. 3. Sims, T. P. T.; Kuntzleman, T. S. Kinetic Explorations of the Candy-Cola Soda Geyser J. Chem. 5. Video 1: Speedy Science Clips: Diet Coke and Mentos in Slow Motion, Tommy Technicium YouTube Channel, August 29, 20201. Speedy Science Clips: Diet Coke and Mentos in Slow Motion, Color Changing Coke and Mentos Experiments, Guidelines for Chemical Laboratory Safety in Secondary Schools (2016), Safety Guidelines for Chemical Demonstrations, Science Practice: Analyzing and Interpreting Data, Science Practice: Asking Questions and Defining Problems, Science Practice: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions, Science Practice: Engaging in Argument from Evidence, Science Practice: Planning and Carrying out Investigations, https://www.nextgenscience.org/dci-arrangement/hs-ps1-matter-and-its-interactions, HS-ETS1-1 Analyze a Major Global Challenge, Effect of Temperature on Chemical Equilibrium using Copper Complexes. That creates so much pressure that the soda goes flying. This causes Equation 2 to shift to the left by the Principle of Le Châtelier. However, the Coke and Mentos experiment does not only involve a physical change.6 The physical process of gas escape induces chemical changes. RAMP: Recognize hazards; Assess the risks of hazards; Minimize the risks of hazards; Prepare for emergencies. Chem. It needs to be wide enough to use as loader for the Mentos. Educ. 3. It's a physical rather than a chemical reaction. Students analyze a major global problem. 2017, 94, 569–576. Why do Diet Coke & Mentos and Coke Zero & Mentos create such exciting geysers? A tube the width of the Mentos. Hypothesis: I predict if you drop a mentos in the diet coke, bubbles will form and push the liquid up and out of the bottle because I believe that mentos and diet coke will cause a reaction. Educ., 2016, 93, 1809–1813. Mentos can act as a catalyst and increase the speed of carbon dioxide production. + It is the classic Diet Coke and Mentos "geyser" experiment, but with the added rigor of using the scientific method to answer the question "Which will cause a larger reaction: the sugar in regular Coke or the aspartame in Diet Coke. Most sodas do not display such a drastic color change, given that they have acidic additives such as citric acid, instead of the potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate in club soda. Mentos candies contain millions of cavities, roughly 1-3 μm in size,[24][10] that remain unwetted when added to a soda. [10][22][23] Because there usually are very few such pre-existing bubbles, the degassing process is slow. They have to be larger than 3μm – any smaller and they won’t grow big enough to rise up and out of the bottle. Why the difference? Asked by Wiki User. Assessment is limited to chemical reactions involving main group elements and combustion reactions. It just won’t be nearly as awesome.) This is what is meant to happen, but often it fails and the geyser isn’t quite as impressive as seen in the videos. [10] When the pressure is released from a soda bottle upon opening it, dissolved carbon dioxide can escape into any tiny bubble located within the beverage. Constructing explanations and designing solutions in 9–12 builds on K–8 experiences and progresses to explanations and designs that are supported by multiple and independent student-generated sources of evidence consistent with scientific ideas, principles, and theories. While CO2 is in different phases, the same chemical compound is both the reactant and product of Equation 1. The rougher the Mentos are the more pores they have. Huber, C. J.; Massari, A. M. Quantifying the Soda Geyser. Now, the aforementioned duo have gathered enough data to figure out the equation that measures the critical size of the bubbles that have to form on the piece of candy to create the frothy eruption. Assessment does not include calculating equilibrium constants and concentrations. Diet Coke and Mentos: What is really behind this physical reaction? Â. The word equation for this reaction is: Carbonic acid → Water + Carbon dioxide. Pre-existing bubbles provide a way for the reaction to occur without requiring bubbles to form within the liquid itself (homogeneous nucleation). Mentos mint candy; Diet cola; A variety of containers with varying sized opening; A narrow test tube wide enough to fit the candy [Klutz and others make a delivery contraption that is easier.] [13] The Diet Coke and Mentos geyser experiment became an internet sensation in September 2005. The scientific word for bubbles, fizzing or foaming is effervescence. It’s so simple to carry out, but yields incredible results! [12][14] Spangler signed a licensing agreement with Perfetti Van Melle, the maker of Mentos, after inventing an apparatus aimed to make it easier to drop the Mentos into the bottle and produce a large soda geyser. Another reason could be that the pores on the Mentos can only support bubble growth in solutions that have CO2 concentrations that exceed a critical value.10 As the CO2 degasses upon Mentos addition, the CO2 concentration in the soda decreases. Basically the Mentos starts to dissolve, and it’s like tripping a switch. ) The physical characteristics of Mentos (surface roughness) have the effect of drastically reducing the activation energy for carbon dioxide bubble formation so that the nucleation rate becomes exceedingly high. For example, they may ask: What is the need or desire that underlies the problem? ( ChemEd X Associate Editor, Science experimenter, chemical educator, entropy generator, I have taught science at all levels from Kindergarten through upper division undergraduate. [2][10][22][23] When dissolved gas diffuses into bubbles that already exist in a liquid, it is called Type IV bubble nucleation. CO Loss of carbon dioxide shifts the above equilibrium to the left, removing carbonic acid and increasing pH. 9. 6. Gardner, D. E.; Patel, B. R.; Hernandez, V. K.; Clark, D.; Sorensen, S.; Lester, K.; Solis, Y.; Tapster, D.; Savage, A.; Hyneman, J.; Dukes, A. D. Investigation of the Mechanism of the Diet Soda Geyser Reaction. The reaction is completely the same with simple Mentos. The height of the explosion of soda is shown for each trial. The chemical reactions involved in dropping mentos candies into a bottle of diet coke make quite the spectacle! 10. The rainbow of colors observed when boiling club soda to which universal indicator was added was a real treat for me to observe. It may be said that these two concepts "work together" to result in the over 1-meter fountain of soda in this nostalgia … Yet another factor that can affect the size of the Mentos / Coke geyser is the temperature of the soda itself. As you can imagine there is much concern over the impact that ocean acidification has on marine life. Interestingly enough, as Equation 1 proceeds it drives two chemical processes: the conversion of H2CO3 to CO2 and water, and also the reaction of H+ and HCO3- to form H2CO3. Emphasis is on the application of Le Chatelier’s Principle and on refining designs of chemical reaction systems, including descriptions of the connection between changes made at the macroscopic level and what happens at the molecular level. 1. It's All About Texture. 3. Analyzing data in 9–12 builds on K–8 and progresses to introducing more detailed statistical analysis, the comparison of data sets for consistency, and the use of models to generate and analyze data. because when mentos is added with car bon dioxide it becomes a chemical reaction and soda has carbon dioxide BUT THE MOST SODA THAT WILL GO 20 FEET WILL BE DIET COKE Examples of designs could include different ways to increase product formation including adding reactants or removing products. Educ. Subjects: I have found it is possible to use acid-base indicators to detect an increase in pH when Mentos candies are added to carbonated beverages. [7][8] Experiments carried out at altitudes ranging from below sea level in Death Valley to the summit of Pikes Peak have demonstrated that the reaction works better at higher elevations. These ready-made bubbles (which are nucleation sites) exist in things such as tiny fibers or non-wettable crevices on the sides of the bottle. Cut a piece of paper so that it is as wide as a roll of Mentos. Nutella was used just to protect cola from incidental reaction with Mentos. It is the physical reaction (carbon dioxide leaving solution) and not the loss of carbonic acid that causes the eruption. I’ve recently learned how to conduct this reaction in a way that involves a color change. The way this reaction works is, when Diet Coke’s carbonation bubbles get into the pores of the mentos, enough carbon dioxide is made which causes the many explosion that happens when they are combined ( “Mental Floss” ). Spring Arbor University, Professor of Chemistry. Am. For example, the question of why it is impossible to siphon water above a height of 32 feet led Evangelista Torricelli (17th-century inventor of the barometer) to his discoveries about the atmosphere and the identification of a vacuum. [3] Steve Spangler's televised demonstration of the eruption in 2005 became popular on YouTube,[4][5][6] launching a chain of several other Diet Coke and Mentos experiment viral videos. As you can see in Video 2, I used bromocresol green and club soda to get a green-to-blue color change during the Mentos-induced degassing of soda. The eruption is caused by a physical reaction, rather than any chemical reaction. Logbook; Procedure: Stack the Mentos candies (approx. [19] It has also been demonstrated that addition of certain concentrations of alcohol (which lowers surface tension) to carbonated beverages decreases fountain heights. Decreased bubble coalescence leads to smaller bubble sizes and greater foaming ability in the water. Universal indicator was added to test for difference in pH upon adding Mentos. Before you submit, you should first read the Contribution page and then follow the link to the Contribution Guidelines. 7. This causes Equation 2 to shift to the left by the Principle of Le Châtelier. H 2 CO 3 (aq) ß à H + (aq) + HCO 3-(aq) Equation 3. Coffey and company discovered that the ingredients in the Mentos and Diet Coke and, more importantly, the structure of the Mentos… One roll of Mentos candies. In their analysis, students: Describe the challenge with a rationale for why it is a major global challenge; Describe, qualitatively and quantitatively, the extent and depth of the problem and its major consequences to society and/or the natural world on both global and local scales if it remains unsolved; and Document background research on the problem from two or more sources, including research journals. [10] As another example, dropping grains of salt or sand into the solution provides Type IV nucleation sites, lowers the activation energy compared to that of homogeneous nucleation, and increases the rate of carbon dioxide precipitation. 3 . Planning and carrying out investigations in 9-12 builds on K-8 experiences and progresses to include investigations that provide evidence for and test conceptual, mathematical, physical, and empirical models. If you’d rather just skip to the experiments, scroll down to the videos in the Experiment section below. Kuntzleman, T. S.; Nydegger, M. W.; Shadley, B.; Doctor, N.; Campbell, D. J. Tribonucleation: A New Mechanism for Generating the Soda Geyser. But notice that this causes a depletion of H2CO3, which forces Equation 3 to shift to the left as well – also by the Principle of Le Châtelier. It is a reaction of the Phosphoric Acid contained in the coca cola to the milk. ) Also, these experiments lend themselves to talking about the impact of increased atmospheric CO2 concentration (from the burning of fossil fuels) on the pH of the world’s oceans. Six candy pieces in a bottle caused a higher explosion. What are the criteria (specifications) for a successful solution? 2018, 95, 1345–1349. In the short video below by YouTuber CrazyRussianHacker, bleach is added to Coca Cola and then stirred for a few minutes. The activation energy for bubble nucleation (formation of bubbles) depends on where the bubble forms. [21] This is because when carbon dioxide is dissolved in water, carbonic acid is formed: H J. Chem. You might think that there is some ingredient in a Mentos candy that causes a chemical reaction with the soda pop, like the way baking soda reacts with vinegar. See the Contribution Guidelines for information about the specific content types. J. Chem. The candies catalyze the release of gas from the beverage, which creates an eruption that pushes most of the liquid up and out of the bottle. In addition, the rainbow observed upon boiling club soda + universal indicator can be used to introduce students to the fact that our oceans – which store about half of the CO2 emitted by fossil fuel use - will not be able to store as much CO2 as they continue to warm due to the effects of global warming. Top Answer. half a roll) in the test tube. I also used a home carbonatioin system and bromocresol green to observe a green-to-yellow color change upon pumping CO2 into water with a home carbonation system. aq Assessment is limited to specifying the change in only one variable at a time. When doing these experiments, I also learned that one can observe almost all the colors of the rainbow when boiling club soda to which universal indicator has been added: Video 3: Color Changing Coke and Mentos Experiments, Tommy Technicium YouTube Channel, August 30, 202012, It looks as if there is no increase in pH upon adding Mentos to a carbonated beverage that has been degassed, indicating it is indeed CO2 escape that drives the color change when Mentos are added to sodas containing indicator. Under these conditions, carbon dioxide begins to precipitate from the solution, forming gas bubbles. 2008, 76, 551–557. [21] The foaming is aided by the presence of food additives such as potassium benzoate, aspartame, sugars, and flavorings in Diet Coke,[19] all of which influence the degree to which water can foam. 2. Thus it could serve as a loading tube. Back in 2018, Kuntzleman had a father's day present he was keen to take advantage of. Or they can result from the need to provide better solutions to a problem. Thus, adding Mentos candies to a carbonated beverage introduces millions of nucleation sites into the drink, which allows for degassing that is rapid enough to support a jet of foam out of a bottle. Two reasons could account for this difference. l Copyright © 2020 Division of Chemical Education, Inc. of the American Chemical Society. Constructing explanations and designing solutions in 9–12 builds on K–8 experiences and progresses to explanations and designs that are supported by multiple and independent student-generated sources of evidence consistent with scientific ideas, principles, and theories. Please allow me to introduce myself . It’s mostly due to a process called nucleation, where the carbon dioxide in the soda is attracted to the Mentos (they are awfully cute). Actually they … al, Kinetic Modeling of and Effect of Candy Additives on the Candy-Cola Soda Geyser: Experiments for Elementary School Science through Physical Chemistry J. Chem. What is the chemical equasion for Mentos and coke reacting? Defining the criteria and constraints: Students specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for acceptable solutions to the problem. When it touches the dents on the Mentos surface bubble will form. Very cool, huh? Indeed, the pH of the oceans has been observed to drop in an effect known as ocean acidification. First, in Video 3 it was observed that Mentos addition causes a slight decrease in pH in a process that takes several minutes. An index card (picture below) The Mentos And Coke Volcano Experiment At the end of the 1990s, the manufacturer of Wintergreen Lifesavers increased the size of the mints and they no longer fit in the mouth of soda bottles. . Buy a bottle of coke and put some object with a not very smooth surface (like sand etc.). Analyzing data in 9–12 builds on K–8 and progresses to introducing more detailed statistical analysis, the comparison of data sets for consistency, and the use of models to generate and analyze data. It is very high for bubbles that form in the liquid itself (homogeneous nucleation), and much lower if bubble growth occurs within tiny bubbles trapped in some other surface (heterogeneous nucleation). Therefore, because boiling removes all dissolved CO2 but Mentos addition does not, the former causes a larger pH shift than the latter. Wiki User Answered 2009-06-03 22:56:53. J. Chem. Asking questions and defining problems in grades 9–12 builds from grades K–8 experiences and progresses to formulating, refining, and evaluating empirically testable questions and design problems using models and simulations. Because no new chemical compounds are formed, the escape of CO2 from a soda is known as a physical change. Close off one end of the tube by cutting a little circle or square of paper and taping it … We then built nozzles that make the opening smaller and that makes the geysers go even higher. But … Can two or more ideas be combined to produce a better solution? New Demonstrations and New Insights on the Mechanism of the Candy-Cola Soda Geyser J. Chem. However, the explosion … See Answer. {\displaystyle {\ce {H2O(l) + CO2(aq) <=> H2CO3(aq)}}}. Â. Educ. If you want to test this theory out. How Does the Rainbow Candy Experiment Work? They can be inspired by a model’s or theory’s predictions or by attempts to extend or refine a model or theory (e.g., How does the particle model of matter explain the incompressibility of liquids?). Examples of chemical reactions could include the reaction of sodium and chlorine, of carbon and oxygen, or of carbon and hydrogen. Plan and conduct an investigation individually and collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence, and in the design: decide on types, how much, and accuracy of data needed to produce reliable measurements and consider limitations on the precision of the data (e.g., number of trials, cost, risk, time), and refine the design accordingly. The basic science of the Coke and Mentos reaction is fairly straightforward. Kuntzleman, T. S.; Johnson, R. J. Construct and revise an explanation based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from a variety of sources (including students’ own investigations, models, theories, simulations, peer review) and the assumption that theories and laws that describe the natural world operate today as they did in the past and will continue to do so in the future. The Enemies of Student-Engagement: Boredom and Frustration. Carbonated drinks get their fizz from dissolved carbon dioxide, which is pumped into the bottles at high pressure to make it dissolve. 11. [18], The eruption is caused by a physical reaction, rather than any chemical reaction. 2014, 91, 428–431. Use of ChemEd X web site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use. Other questions arise when generating possible solutions: Will this solution meet the design criteria? [1][14][17] Tonya Coffey, a physicist at Appalachian State University, suggested that aspartame in diet drinks lowers the surface tension in the water and causes a bigger reaction, but that caffeine does not accelerate the process. Educ. 2 I did the experiment with one Mentos candy piece in a two-liter bottle of Diet Coke three times and recorded the data. ( Upon addition of Mentos candies, CO 2 escapes sodas and the amount of dissolved CO 2 in the soda becomes depleted (Equation 1). ) 2020, 97, 283–288. Kuntzleman, T. S., Speedy Science Clips: Diet Coke and Mentos in Slow Motion, Tommy Technicium YouTube Channel, August 29, 2020Â. 8. The addition of the Mentos leads to the rapid nucleation of carbon dioxide gas bubbles precipitating out of the solution:[2][19][20][21]. [20][28], "Naperville students integral to classic TV bits, but will the fun continue? − Fun Science Experiments // Mentos and Coke / Soda ExperimentIncludes BOTH US size and Australian A4 sized files/spelling!This fun experiment explores the physical reaction between mentos and diet coke / diet soda creating an impressive geyser of carbon dioxide. Materials: * 1 Roll of mentos mint candies * Paper and tape to make a paper tube * Index card * 2 liters of bottled diet or regular soda Procedure: 1. The conversion of dissolved carbon dioxide to gaseous carbon dioxide forms rapidly expanding gas bubbles in the soda, which pushes the beverage contents out of the container. ", "MythBusters: Diet Coke and Mentos MiniMyth", "Toying with the Diet Coke and Mentos experiment", "Science of Mentos-Diet Coke explosions explained", "Bubble nucleation from gas cavities — a review", "Ethanol as a Probe for the Mechanism of Bubble Nucleation in the Diet Coke and Mentos Experiment", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Diet_Coke_and_Mentos_eruption&oldid=1021296326, Articles with dead external links from July 2019, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 3 May 2021, at 23:00.