Mentos and Coke Experiment – How to Do It! [Full Guide]
Have you ever taken a can of soda, shook it up, and given it to your friend?
What happens?
Well, it’s probably not pretty. And you may not have a friend for a day or two until they forgive you.
But making soda explode is fun. And there is a way to make it really go boom if you have a few pennies and a bit of time on your hands.
Note – be sure to only try this experiment with a responsible adult!
It really only takes a few minutes to setup the mentos and coke volcano experiment. And it’s a great way to learn about chemical reactions.
It’s also a lot less work than your classic paper mache volcano. So, if you want some quick and easy fun, get some paper towels because we’re about to make a sweet mess.
What Will I Need For The Mentos And Coke Volcano?
There really aren’t that many supplies you need to make a mentos and coke volcano.
But here’s the list:
An outdoor area with no ceiling or roof
One roll of Mentos candies
A two-liter bottle of diet soda (diet soda makes for a much better reaction, but you can use regular soda if you like. It just won’t be nearly as awesome.)
A tube the width of the Mentos. It needs to be wide enough to use as loader for the Mentos
An index card (picture below)
The Mentos And Coke Volcano Experiment
Now it’s time to actually run the experiment, but first, we need to make a hypothesis.
The Hypothesis
The scientific method is an important way scientists make observations and come to conclusions.
Part of the scientific method is making a prediction called a hypothesis.
Write down what you think will happen when placing the Mentos in the soda bottles.
Do a little bit of research about the ingredients of Mentos and soda.
This will help you make an informed guess as to what will happen.
Now You Test The Hypothesis
In an experiment, you have two groups: an experimental group, and a control group.
Open the soda bottle, set it down and write down what you observe about it.
This will count as your control group. It’s what happens when you put nothing in the soda.
Now take the Mentos in your tube loader.
Put the index card on top of the tube loader and turn the tube upside down.
The candy should not fall out.
Be ready. The reaction happens fast, so don’t have your face over the bottle.
Place the index card and candies over the mouth of the bottle. Make sure the candies are in line with the mouth of the bottle.
You want the candies going in the bottle and not falling over the side.
Now remove the index card and let candies fall in and step away from the Mentos and coke volcano.
Conclusion
Write down what happened when you dropped the Mentos in the coke.
Did what you hypothesize happen? Compare your notes on the experiment to the control group.
Let us know what you observed in your science experiment!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION
1. Can I use any type of Mentos candy for the experiment?
Yes, you can use any type of Mentos candy for the experiment. The most commonly used Mentos candies are the original mint-flavored ones, but you can also use fruit-flavored or other varieties. The key factor is the rough surface of the Mentos candy, which helps to create nucleation sites for the carbon dioxide bubbles in the Coke. This happens because Coke contains dissolved carbon dioxide gas.
2. What happens if I use diet Coke instead of regular Coke?
If you use cold diet Coke instead of regular Coke in the Mentos experiment, you can still expect an explosive reaction. However, the reaction may not be as vigorous as with regular Coke. Diet Coke contains artificial sweeteners like aspartame, which may slightly affect the reaction. Nonetheless, the combination of Mentos and diet Coke can still produce a notable geyser, so it’s worth giving it a try. SO it will be the mentos geyser experiment.
3. Is the Mentos and Coke experiment suitable for children to try at home?
The Coke and Mentos experiment can be a fun and engaging activity for children to try at home. However, ensuring proper adult supervision and following safety precautions is important. Conducting the mentos experiment outdoors or in a well-ventilated area is recommended to avoid any potential mess or accidental spills. Additionally, remind children not to consume the Coke or Mentos mixture, as it is unsafe for ingestion. By taking these precautions, the Coke and Mentos experiment can provide children an educational and entertaining experience.