Directions on the Chemistry of Mentos Lab

A common chemistry experiment involves Mentos candy and diet soda. Placing Mentos in soda produces a strong eruption. Although there is some debate, researchers believe that pressurized gas mixed with gelatin on the candy causes the eruption. Soda is pressurized with carbon dioxide gas which remains in the soda until a glass is poured. Dropping Mentos into soda breaks the surface tension, allowing gas to release. Gas bubbles form on the Mentos' surface. After the all the gas is released, it forces the remaining liquid out of the soda bottle.

Instructions

1

Open a 2-liter bottle of warm diet soda. Regular soda will work, but it's stickier and more difficult to clean up.

2

Place the 2-liter bottle in the middle of a field or large yard. Make sure it won't tip over and is relatively stable.

3

Create a tube from paper to help drop the Mentos in the bottle. Roll a piece of paper to form a small tube. There are more elaborate ways and special tools to drop the Mentos in the bottle.

4

Unwrap the entire roll of Mentos candy. Place them into the paper tube without dropping them in the soda. You need to drop the whole roll of candy in the soda at the same time.

5

Warn any spectators to step back so that they are not covered with soda before dropping the Mentos into the soda bottle.

6

Drop all of the Mentos into the bottle at the same time. Run to sit with the spectators. The Mentos will absorb the gas bubbles. Once all of the gas has been released, the remaining soda will be forced out of the soda bottle producing a large geyser.