Mentos and Soda Experiments

When you pair carbonated soda and Mentos candies, you can create an overflow of fun. Perform your experiments outside, in an open area, and use protective eye gear. The nature of the reaction between the soda and candy is a matter of debate among scientists. The effect may be due to a physical or chemical cause. Most believe that ingredients in the candies cause a break in surface tension in the liquid, allowing new bubbles to more easily form, while carbon dioxide bubbles form well on the pitted surface of the candies. Does this Spark an idea?

Original

To replicate the original Mentos and soda experiment, simply drop Mentos candies into an open 2-liter bottle of soda. Drop a single mint for a smaller reaction or release an entire roll of mints at one time for a big reaction. Place the bottle where it will not tip over from the force of the expulsion of the soda. Remove the top, drop in the mints and run.

The difficult part of the process involves getting all the mints into the bottle quickly, so that you can move out of the way of the geyser of soda to come. The Steve Spangler Science website suggests creating a paper tube to hold the candies and that 7 to 10 candies create the best geyser effect. Size the tube to hold the candies loosely, but still fit inside the opening of the soda bottle. Unwrap the original packaging and place the mints in the paper tube, where they can slip out quickly and easily.

Fountain

Create a fountain effect by creatively positioning multiple bottles of various sizes and flavors, using varying amounts of mints. Fountains require starting multiple bottles in succession or simultaneously, and hence, require a triggering device. Several companies sell accessories to create shaped and timed eruptions for fountain displays.

Super Soaker

For a hot weather alternative, create a pressurized soda (instead of water) gun by folding your thumb over your index finger to create a "hose" to help direct the spray. Drop the mints into the bottle, and be ready to act fast to aim your soda stream. Wear protective goggles to protect your eyes.

Races and Other Experiments

Participants can race each other to see whose bottle will trigger first, who gets the highest geyser or whose bottle erupts for the longest amount of time.

According to Bill Nye the Science Guy, "The flavoring in the soda affects the rate and size of the explosion." Participants can experiment with combinations including soda of varying temperature and different types, bottle sizes, flavors and brands of soda. The Eepy Bird website suggests trying other candies as well. Science teachers used mint-flavored Life Savers before a switch to Mentos.