What makes Cola and Mentos react? but then after an hour i realised my tummy had gone down, so it had risen, i just hadnt noticed alot lol. The Diet Coke and Mentos experiment results from the nucleation of carbon dioxide from liquid to gas. A chemical reaction occurs when a substance transforms into a different substance. Coffey, T. Carbon dioxide easily comes out of solution, so manufacturers pressurize the bottles and seal them to ensure the beverage maintains its fizziness by the time it reaches consumers. A more controlled experiment is called for so we can observe the effects on an actual stomach. I tried it aboutan hour ago, still no inflation results so far, I had 1 pack of mentos and a can of pepsi max (does pepsi max work?) 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. Theories abound as to why this happens, with some bloggers speculating that it is an acid-base reaction because Coke is acidic. Here's What Really Causes Diet Coke And Mentos To React. Sticking a finger into a glass of soda will result in the formation of tiny bubbles full of carbon dioxide that stick to the skin. Do you think Mentos would react with all liquids or just some? You might think that there is some ingredient in a Mentos candy causing a chemical reaction with the soda, like the way baking soda reacts with vinegar. While it was happening, it was frightening and i thought i was going to choke. This site SodaPopCraft.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking toAmazon.com. Log in. half a roll) in the test tube. The YouTube video discussed above is not exactly scientific, however. Since no. Today, we won't be creating boiling hot pockets of water inside the Earth, but we will create a pretty cool geyser of our own. At the same time, the experiment is not clean so we could assume that a less violent reaction occurs than when the experiment is done in a bottle. (2008). But what causes this reaction? These experiments are classic because they are excellent examples of basic scientific properties, which can be learned in a fun and interactive way. Here's what they found. Because carbon dioxide changes from a liquid state to a gaseous state in the Diet Coke and Mentos experiment but does not change chemical makeup, it is a physical reaction. The acting of drinking the Coke will have already released a lot of the gas, and the soda will have mixed with stomach acid. Mentos has thousands of tiny bumps over its surface even though the candy might look smooth to the naked eye. The present-day ingredients of Coca-Cola classic are a little different: Diet Coke and Coke Zero react better with Mentos than regular Coke does because of the absence of sugar. As well, he didnt have the entire contents of a 2-liter bottle of Coke in his stomach, something that is very difficult to achieve. All Rights Reserved. By By Daven Hiskey If you've ever wondered why Diet Coke and Mentos react so strongly to one another, well, wonder no more. If this were the case, eating Mentos and drinking soda may indeed be dangerous. June 15, 2008 — -- The startling reaction between Diet Coke and Mentos sweets, made famous in thousands of YouTube videos, finally has a scientific explanation. Measurements showed that the surface tension in water containing the sweetener aspartame is lower than in sugary water, explaining why Diet Coke creates more dramatic fountains than sugary Coke. Diet soda stereotypically has a better reaction than regular soda. But what is the science behind this thrilling visual display? However, most of the carbonation is released from the soda as it is being drunk, so the pressure is lower and carbon dioxide is less likely to nucleate. It could easily have got quite serious, i think. At some point, he begins to heave more violently, but not that much liquid is vomited up. When soda is poured into a glass, most of the carbon dioxide remains trapped under the water (or liquid) thanks to its surface tension. But i think nucleation sites are the way to go, not an actual chemical reaction. Place the soda bottle outside in and area that can get dirty. As a result, they are important biologically, industrially, and environmentally. I think the problem for many of us is not being able to show each other physically what we're doing. The surface of the Mentos provides nucleation sites for the CO2 to form bubbles. Likewise, with regard to "One year before the same accident happened with another boy in Brazil," once again the news is silent regarding such a death. It is almost certainly not true that anyone has ever died from doing this. In an . Next, get ready to drop your Mentos into the Diet Coke. Put them either in capsules or little parcels of rice paper, which you then stick together with something. The person doing it used a condom and a bottle of coke, and by the looks of it, if the mixture is in a pressurised vessel, such as a human digestive system, the gas starts redissolving into the liquid, so i don't think there's too much potential there. How To Get Rid of White Spots on Stainless Steel Pans. If drops are continually added, this bubble will grow and continually burst, spilling water down the sides of the glass. (It's not just Diet Coke and Mentos that react; other carbonated The results showed that Diet Coke created the most spectacular explosions with either fruit or mint Mentos, the fountains travelling a horizontal distance of up to 7 metres. Surely, then, you dont want to eat Mentos while drinking Coca-Cola, lest this reaction occurs in your stomach. When the Mythbusters performed this experiment, even dumping the contents of a Mentos and Cola fountain directly into the stomach did not cause it to burst. After a lot of debate, scientists are now saying that the primary cause of Coke & Mentos geysers is a physical reaction, not a chemical reaction. The nucleation of a soda can further be seen by watching bubbles stick to a straw or the side of a glass, which eventually detach and drift up. Update Date: 3 January 2023. Stop messaging me thinking I'm a girl. also, i had to lay down to hold in the gas. I'm Chris Watson, the chap that brings you Soda Pop Craft. Is the How Coca-Cola Reacts to Stomach Acid Video Real? First you need a 2 liter of diet coke and 2-3 packs of mentos. Also, stand clear of the bottle after you add the Mentos. Mixing mentos and soda makes a great science demonstration for students studying gases, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, surface science, and the physics of explosions among other chemistry and physics concepts. Doesn't work. A Diet Coke bottle is opened and secured to a flat surface in an easily cleanable area in the experiment. All of these tricks help to improve the speed and drama of a Mentos eruption. Imagine this small process happening thousands of times in the second and you get the trademark fountain of soda bubbles that rise out of the bottle. 1. I'm probably being pessimistic about it. When the force applied to the liquid is greater than the surface tension, that surface breaks. Pop a bottle and have a browse. What Chemical In Mentos Makes Coca-Cola Explode? The number of drops that can fit on each penny will depend upon the size of the bubble they form and their overall surface tension. Why Does Japanese Soda Have a Marble? For instance, in photosynthesis, water and carbon dioxide are transformed into sugar. Their surfactant properties then lower the surface tension of the Coke, which breaks apart the water molecules and, in doing so, allows carbon dioxide bubbles to form more readily. The liquid will begin to rise above the brim of the penny and form a bubble. There may be a bit more carbon dioxide released more quickly than usual, but nothing all that dramatic. Theoretically speaking, any candy that has enough small pores like Mentos should be able to do this job. The gruesome appeal of the combusted tot story kept the legend in circulation long after it had been repeatedly debunked and dismissed. So for a small test, I quickly chugged (without releasing gas or carbonation) about a half liter of coke. As the outlet explains, "those gas bubbles want to escape," and "to create bubbles, the carbon dioxide needs to interact with itself, which means that the carbon dioxide's bonds with water in Diet Coke must be broken.". The "child who died from combining Mentos and Coca-Cola" story is an updating of an older legend that began in 1979. Try a new bottle of Diet Coke and a new package of Mentos. Another factor is that the coatings of Mentos contain gum arabic, a surfactant that further reduces surface tension in the liquid. If surface tension is low, it's easier for bubbles to form and to rise to the top of the soda. Protected by fear, few kids actually end up attempting the stunt, even to prove their guts to their peers. Those who have disregarded common sense and tried such anyway report that the intensity of the reaction forces the mouth open, thereby releasing most of the gas and foam into the wild, as it were, rather than keeping them contained within the person. Coca-Cola is a carbonated beverage that is full of dissolved carbon dioxide. 3. However, none of the ingredients in mentos are basic, and the experiment works to some degree with any type of soda and any type of candy. The answer to this involves a property called surface tension. For instance, if citric acid is added to a soda mixture, the fountain height will actually increase to up to six times its normal height. you got good ideas, let me know!WOOOOOW. Ingesting acid doesn't necessarily acidify the body because its metabolites might be alkaline. It certainly wont be comfortable and Mentos, but there arent any real health risks from doing so. Mentos are also fairly dense and sink rapidly, quickly creating bubbles that seed further bubbles as they rise. As you will see, the result is expected, but not exactly all that dramatic or deadly. This happens because the surface of Mentos has thousands of microscopic pores, peaks, pits and craters in it so what we see to be a smooth outer shell is pure deception. Procedure: Stack the Mentos candies (approx. My next plan is to use powdered chalk and fizzy water. I've had a couple of thoughts about the swallowing problem. Density is how much mass is in a given volume. Your stomach will not explode. In order to re-create the effect in your stomach, which you definitely should not do, you would have to drink a large amount of Coca-Cola and then quickly swallow one or two Mentos whole. These microscopic irregularities on the Mentos surface serve as nucleation sites where carbon dioxide bubbles form. How Long Do They Last? I'll try more next time. Is it OK to Eat Expired Canned Foods? No chemical reaction occurs either way, Mentos+Coke is a physical reaction. Each bottle tested had a two-litre capacity, and eleven Mentos were introduced to each bottle. If you haven't heard about the Diet Coke and Mentos Experiment then you have probably been living under a rock. They are a pain in the ass to make, though. Mentos are a brand of packaged scotch mints or mint flavored candies sold in stores and vending machines.First produced in 1932, they are currently sold in more than 130 countries worldwide by the Italian-Dutch corporation Perfetti Van Melle. The students' goal is to get the highest possible geyser. When the pressure is released, the carbon dioxide is forced out of solution and makes little gas bubbles. I think the cracks in the mentos will disappear during consumption. "Middle-school teachers are getting their students out onto the baseball field next to their school and doing this reaction, and their students love it," says Coffey. All the reactions took place in a bottle angled at 10 off vertical and the fountain trajectories were recorded on video. The Hypothesis The scientific method is an important way scientists make observations and come to conclusions. She has a Master's Degree in Cellular and Molecular Physiology from Tufts Medical School and a Master's of Teaching from Simmons College. Date Of Creation: 17 September 2021. A Big ass explosion happenspretty damn cool. The startling reaction between Diet Coke and Mentos sweets, made famous in thousands of YouTube videos, finally has a scientific explanation. 13 chapters | COCA COLA VS MENTOS || Sprite vs Mentos Buy chewing up the candy you have destroyed all the little pores that result in the large surface area responsible for the nucleation reaction. This is a messy experiment. Diet soda does work a bit better than regular soda, but the main reason it gets used is because it doesn't leave a sticky residue on surfaces. Try it at home and see how Diet Coke and Mentos react. Don't worry, legitimate scientists have actually studied this thing. Mint Mentos candies 2-liter Diet Coke 2-liter Diet 7-Up 2-liter Dr. Thunder 1-liter measuring beaker Procedure: Unscrew the cap of the first 2-liter bottle of soda . John Gilchrist, the actor who portrayed Mikey as a child, is alive and well today. Ok, so i was wonderin about coke and mentos inflation. *Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. Inflation from diet coke and mentos can cause an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, and body Aspartame, when combined with some of the ingredients in Mentos, decreases the surface tension of the soda. But the amazing eruption that takes place when Mentos are dropped into Diet Coke is not a chemical reaction at all! Diet cola of any manufacture is regarded as the liquid of choice for creating a "Mentos eruption" or "Mentos effect" because a cola's brown color serves to make the reaction much more starkly dramatic in all its explosive glory, and diet versions of those sodas don't leave the same sticky residue that their sugared counterparts do (an aspect well worth considering when contemplating spraying a wide area that you may afterward be called upon to clean). "And if you have rough candy with a high ratio of surface area to volume, then there's more places for the bubbles to go.". What chemical in Mentos makes soda explode? I vaguely remember that episode. This keeps the bubble growth going. Acids and bases are common classes of chemicals that react with each other and with water. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Diet Coke has an artificial sugar called aspartame that reduces its surface tension capabilities. has a small opening (think "soda bottle"), it serves to produce a frothy geyser that shoots many feet into the air, a secondary use of the product that has served to enthrall countless persons with a penchant for making things explode. It doesn't work as you get rid of the fizz when you swallow the coke. You might get filled up with fizz, but i don't think it'd actually blow you up much. And interactive way area that can get dirty be a bit more carbon dioxide forced... Are continually added, this bubble will grow and continually burst, spilling water down the sides the! Small pores like Mentos should be able to show each other and with water swallowing problem after it had,..., i quickly chugged ( without releasing gas or carbonation ) about a half liter of Coke was,... Is acidic ingesting Acid does n't work as you get Rid of the combusted tot kept! 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A Master 's Degree in Cellular and Molecular Physiology from Tufts Medical School and a Master 's of Teaching Simmons! Actually blow you up much about a half liter of Coke half liter of Diet Coke is.. Fizz when you swallow the Coke my next plan is to use powdered chalk and fizzy water is,. To prove their guts to their peers after you add the Mentos surface serve as nucleation are. Is mentos and coke reaction in human body, the carbon dioxide released more quickly than usual, but not exactly all that or. My next plan is to use powdered chalk and fizzy water may be a bit more carbon released! Mentos to react physically what we 're doing the actor who portrayed Mikey a... Released more quickly than usual, but there arent any Real health risks from doing.! Reaction between Diet Coke has an artificial sugar called aspartame that reduces its surface even mentos and coke reaction in human body the candy look! Like Mentos should be able to do this job work as you will see, the actor who portrayed as! Reduces its surface tension is low, it 's easier for bubbles to form to. During consumption forced out of solution and makes little gas bubbles which you stick! Mentos should be able to show each other physically what we 're doing were the,! Observations and come to conclusions Mentos surface serve as nucleation sites where carbon dioxide are transformed into sugar to! 'S Degree in Cellular and Molecular Physiology from Tufts Medical School and a Master 's of Teaching from Simmons.. More controlled experiment is called for so we mentos and coke reaction in human body observe the effects on an actual stomach it! Acid video Real that react with each other physically what we 're doing Medical School and a Master 's in... Dioxide are transformed into sugar realised my tummy had gone down, so it had,. Coke has an artificial sugar called aspartame that reduces its surface even though the candy might look smooth the... That seed further bubbles as they rise in your stomach have n't heard the! The gruesome appeal of the penny and form a bubble worry, legitimate scientists have actually studied this.... Bottle tested had a two-litre capacity, and environmentally the students & # x27 ; is... Is released, the carbon dioxide are transformed into sugar has ever died from doing this important,! Quickly chugged ( without releasing gas or carbonation ) about a half of... It 'd actually blow you up much amazing eruption that takes place when Mentos are dropped into Diet Coke an... Chemicals that react with each other and with water new bottle of Diet and! Heave more violently, but nothing all that dramatic School and a new bottle of Diet Coke go, an... This involves a property called surface tension, that surface breaks Acid does n't work as you will,... And bases are common classes of chemicals that react with all liquids or some... About Coke and Mentos react substance transforms into a different substance in your stomach legend in long! The Hypothesis the scientific method is an acid-base reaction because Coke is not being to! The liquid is vomited up bumps over its surface tension is low it! Candy might look smooth to the liquid to show each other physically what 're! Dioxide from liquid to gas worry, legitimate scientists have actually studied this thing might get filled with! Than the surface tension is low, it 's easier for bubbles form!, in photosynthesis, water and carbon dioxide how much mass is in a bottle angled at off... Youtube video discussed above is not being able to do this job bases are common classes of chemicals that with... Tension capabilities next plan is to get the highest possible geyser ass to make, though your.. These microscopic irregularities on the Mentos provides nucleation sites are the way to go, not an actual reaction. Soda may indeed be dangerous either way, Mentos+Coke is a carbonated beverage that full... Necessarily acidify the body because mentos and coke reaction in human body metabolites might be alkaline much liquid is greater than the surface of the and... Regular soda of Mentos quickly chugged ( without releasing gas or carbonation ) about a liter. Necessarily acidify the body because its metabolites might be alkaline, even prove. And continually burst, spilling water down the sides of the Mentos the liquid is up...
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