Coke and Mentos Experiment: Understanding the Eruption Phenomenon

This report details a scientific investigation into the Coke and Mentos experiment, analyzing the eruption caused by the reaction between Coca-Cola and Mentos. The experiment explores the physical reaction of carbon dioxide release due to the Mentos dissolving and creating pressure within the soda, which is more impactful than a chemical reaction. The methodology involves a lab experiment where Mentos are mixed with coke, with multiple variables considered such as the amount of Mentos and Coke, and safety protocols followed. The results confirm the eruption, with the magnitude of the spill increasing with the number of Mentos and the volume of Coke. The report also includes a discussion of the results, a conclusion summarizing the findings, and references to relevant scientific literature. The report aims to scientifically demonstrate the experiment and ensure it is practically experienced in an evident manner. The report discusses the methodology and results, analyzing the extent of the research.

Coke and Mentos experiment
Name of Student

Research
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Research on what would happen if there is coke with mentos mixture
Introduction
Scientific experiments are an effective way through which science can be learned and its practical
specimens can be experienced through it. The reason for undertaking this investigation is that it has
been widely publicised that drinking Coca Cola and mentos can lead to instant death, though it is
not true. This paper aims to explore the truth behind mix of Cocke and Mentos. The experiment is
based on hypothesis that Coke plus mentos leads to breaking of surface tension in carbonation
causing fountain of coke (Gardner et al. 2014) The details regarding the experiment will be
discussed in this paper. The methodology used the result will be discussed to further analyse the
extent of the research. The aim is to scientifically demonstrate the experiment and to make sure it is
practically experienced in an evident manner.
Methodology
The experimental method is lab method where Mentos was mixed with coke. This is mainly chosen as the Mentos
instantly reacts when it comes to contact with coke and vice versa so lab experiment conducted was safe method under
controlled conditions. The experiment is interesting and is based on two concepts i.e. chemical reaction between
carbonic acid in coke and baking soda in mentos. Other is physical reaction because of which mentos pushes out coke,
which results into huge amount of gas release. Thus the reaction has been chosen as the topic of examination. Some
multiple steps and procedures have been taken to maintain validity such as supporting experiment with theoretical
concept and reliability is maintained through test-retest reliability process to maintain fair test. Measures including
suitable containers, certain amounts of coke bottles, and Mentos packs are to be gathered for the completion of the
research. Multiple variables have also played an important role in the experiment, the Mentos can be considered as the
independent variables as the number of Mentos that were taken for the experiment could be fluctuating depending on the
results of the reaction (Gardner, Dukes & Patel, 2014). The coke is the dependent variable as the reaction can be done
with the coke of any amount. To maintain safety lab experiment was conducted in controlled conditions and results were
not tampered to maintain ethical guidelines.
Results
The results are what was expected from the experiment. The spilling of the coke was accounted for with the inclusion of
3 Mentos balls. The magnitude of the spilling of the coke was observed very drastically with the inclusion of the 2 litres
of coke. The magnitude conducted was mainly because of the amount of the coke was taken. If 5-6 Mentos balls were
dropped at some time in the bottle the spilling was observed to be of more magnitude.
The gathered data and information regarding the experiment need to be noted with every detail in the lab documents and
to be presented on the sequel of the experiment. From the beginning of the experiment and to ending every information
and data is to be provided with every step in accurate order. All the scientific and lab-tested methods are involved in the
conduction of the experiment (Fisher & Lyytinen, 2014). Every precaution and measure regarding the completion of the
experiment has been involved in the study for giving proper adequacy to the experiment. All essential graphs and tables
regarding the magnitude and variables of the experiment are presented.
Discussion
As the result can be seen in the current science experiment it can be said that the eruption was seen when mentos was added to Coca Cola. The
eruption was caused because of the physical reaction which took place rather than the chemical reaction. This is because there was nucleation of
carbon dioxide gas bubbles out of the solution which caused the eruption. It can be said that the conversion rate of carbon dioxide (gas) is very rapid
which causes expanding gas bubbles within the soda. This expansion pushes the beverage content out of the container. It has been seen that gases
are increasingly dissolvable in the fluid under raised weights (Dawoodi, Eaton, El-Shoubary, Lowery & Moise, 2017) . Carbonated soft drinks, for
example, Coca Cola contained pressurized supersaturated carbon dioxide as it tends to be found in the opening of the jugs as they discharge certain
gas pressure. Presently mentos are strong which when added to Coca broke up discharging carbon dioxide makes a weight inside the arrangement. It
has been seen that gases are more soluble in liquid under elevated pressures. Carbonated sodas such as Coca Cola contained pressurized
supersaturated carbon dioxide as it can be seen in the opening of the bottles as they release certain gas pressure. Now mentos is a solid which when
added to Coca dissolved releasing carbon dioxide creates pressure within the solution. This eventually leads to the eruption which can be seen in
the science experiment conducted on the following.
Conclusion
Concluding in the light of the above context it can be said that through the use of this experiment the process of
eruption after adding mentos to Coca Cola can be understood. Now there can be some uncertainties and
limitations of the current research such as experimenting could have done in a more precise manner but the
research notated the flaws to produce and highly efficient experiment.
References
Acknowledgment
I wish to thank my teachers for success and final outcome of this experiment who have guided and assisted me during this
assignment. I express my sincere gratitude for their support and willingness to give time.

Research
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References
Dawoodi, T.S., Eaton, J.A., El-Shoubary, Y., Lowery, R.M. & Moise, H., PepsiCo Inc, 2017. Post fill carbonation with container overpressure limitation. U.S. Patent 9,661,872.
Fisher, M., Abbott, M., & Lyytinen, K. (2014). Getting it right. In The Power of Customer Misbehavior (pp. 98-115). Palgrave Macmillan, London.
Gardner, D. E., Dukes III, A. D., & Patel, B. R. (2014). Investigation of the Origin of the Diet Coke and Mentos Reaction. George Manuel and Dr. Cole Cheek Spartanburg Methodist College,
40.
Gardner, D. E., Patel, B. R., Hernandez, V. K., Clark, D., Sorensen, S., Lester, K., ... & Dukes, A. D. (2014). Investigation of the Mechanism of the Diet Soda Geyser Reaction. Chem. Educator,
19, 358-362.