Soda & Mentos Projects

Everybody from children to science teachers have marveled at the reaction when a Mentos is dropped into a bottle of soda. The reaction occurs because the compressed carbon dioxide in the soda forms bubbles on the surface of the Mentos, displacing the liquid and forcing the soda out of bottle. The reaction is made more powerful by the fact the soda is escaping from a small hole, which increases the pressure.



There are several variations of the experiment. There has been much discussion over what the best soda to use for this project is, but according to most people the best to use is diet cola at room temperature.

Soda and Mentos Volcano

This is the classic experiment. It requires a couple Mentos and a 2-liter bottle of soda.

Directions: Remove the lid from the bottle and the paper and foil wrappers from the Mentos. Drop a couple Mentos into the bottle. This will cause the "eruption" and you should see a 3- or 4-foot plume of bubbly cola.

Warning: Do not do this inside. Or, if you do, at least put down some waterproof sheets as this experiment will cause a mess.

Soda and Mentos Geyser

The extreme version of the soda and Mentos volcano is called the geyser as the eruption usually gets closer to 10 or even 15 feet high.

Directions: Follow the directions for the volcano, but use more of the sweets to create a bigger explosion.

Warning: Certainly do not try this indoors as this will create a huge mess.

Soda and Mentos Rocket

For this experiment you will need a lot of space and an area where the rocket will not land on anybody or anything; a park is the ideal place.

Directions: Remove the lid from the soda and the outer paper wrapper from the tube of Mentos--but do not remove the inner foil wrapper. Put the entire tube in the bottle and replace the cap. As long as the sweets are protected from the soda by the foil, the reaction will not take place. Now shake the soda bottle well and unscrew the cap slightly until you hear a hissing. Throw the bottle into the air so it will hit the ground at a decent velocity. The impact will speed up the reaction and knock the lid off the bottle, which will be propelled up into the sky.