Erupting Diet Coke® with Mentos®
Active Time
20-30 minutes
Total Project Time
20-30 minutes
Key Concepts
carbonation, physical reactions, gases
![]() IntroductionHave you ever seen the Diet Coke® and Mentos® experiment, which is all over the Internet, and wondered what makes the reaction work? 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. But the amazing eruption that takes place when Mentos are dropped into Diet Coke is not a chemical reaction at all! Instead it is a physical reaction. That means that all of the pieces of the reaction are there, but that they are simply re-arranged. And changing some factors may cause a larger or smaller physical reaction to take place — see for yourself!CreditsTeisha Rowland, PhD, Science Buddies
This activity is not appropriate for use as a science fair project. Good science fair projects have a stronger focus on controlling variables, taking accurate measurements, and analyzing data. To find a science fair project that is just right for you, browse our library of over 1,200 Science Fair Project Ideas or use the Topic Selection Wizard to get a personalized project recommendation.
Materials
Reviews |
Active Time
20-30 minutes
Total Project Time
20-30 minutes
Key Concepts
carbonation, physical reactions, gases
|
Explore Our Science Videos
Make A Tissue Paper Parachute - STEM Activity
|
Make Your Own Lava Lamp
|
10 Robotics Projects Kids Can Really Make!
|