What type of chemical reaction is Coke and Mentos?

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. Their explanation is this process called nucleation. All the carbon dioxide in the soda – all that fizz – is squeezed into the liquid and looking for a way out.

Why is Coke and Mentos a physical change?

Since the addition of Mentos is just speeding up a physical process (i.e. the carbon dioxide gas coming out of solution), the reaction is a physical reaction. This is a state change for the carbon dioxide gas from being dissolved in Coke to a gaseous state.

What is the chemical composition of Mentos?

The surfactants in Mentos are found in its ingredients. Primarily, the sugar, aspartame and potassium benzoate included in the candy shell reduce the work it takes to form bubbles in the soda, causing a rapid creation of carbon dioxide bubbles.

What chemical in Mentos makes soda explode?

carbon dioxide
Each Mentos has thousands of tiny pits on its surface. When a mint hits the soda, the pressurized carbon dioxide forms little bubbles on the candy surface. Mentos sink quickly to the bottom of the soda bottle, and all the bubbles rush to the surface, forcing the liquid out.

Why does Mentos explode in soda?

As the Mentos candy sinks in the bottle, the candy causes the production of more and more carbon dioxide bubbles, and the rising bubbles react with carbon dioxide that is still dissolved in the soda to cause more carbon dioxide to be freed and create even more bubbles, resulting in the eruption.

Do Mentos explode in regular Coke?

In the Diet Coke bottle the Mentos candy provides a rough surface that allows the bonds between the carbon dioxide gas and water to break more easily, helping to create carbon dioxide bubbles. Because Mentos candies are rather dense, they sink rapidly through the liquid, causing a fast, large eruption.

Is Mentos bad for your teeth?

Hard candies like mentos or boiled sweets are also high risk treats. They can easily crack teeth, a common cause of broken teeth in my surgery! Dried fruit is dangerous because it has a sticky texture as well as a more concentrated sugar load. They stick to the teeth and are full of natural sugars.

What is the science behind Mentos and Coke?

The basic science of the Coke and Mentos reaction is fairly straightforward. In fact, it’s not really a reaction at all – or at least it’s a physical reaction rather than a chemical one. Carbonated drinks get their fizz from dissolved carbon dioxide, which is pumped into the bottles at high pressure to make it dissolve.

What makes Mentos react with coke?

As the Mentos candy sinks in the bottle, the candy causes the production of more and more carbon dioxide bubbles, and the rising bubbles react with carbon dioxide that is still dissolved in the soda to cause more carbon dioxide to be freed and create even more bubbles, resulting in the eruption.

What is the reaction between Coke and Mentos?

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 spray out of its container. The gas released by the candies creates an eruption that pushes most of the liquid up and out of the bottle.

What are facts about the coke and Mentos experiment?

The diet coke and mentos experiment is also known as a soda geyser. The name is given because when the mentos are dropped in the soda bottle it causes the carbonated beverage to spray out of the bottle. It is one of the most popular experiments of modern times. Make sure to try this experiment outside in a lawn or abandoned field.