We all know that when a mint or menthos touches coke (allegedly it must be diet) tremendous pressure if created. Can anyone explain what chemicals cause this? And why does it have to be diet coke?
2006-08-28 08:48:58 · 7 answers · asked by JetAlone 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
It's a physical reaction (nucleation) which in turn causes a chemical reaction (CO2 leaving solution. ie: carbonic acid = carbon dioxide + water).
What happens is the mentos provides a uneven surface for the tiny air bubbles to form which allows the carbon dioxide gas to escape it's watery prison.
You can also dump sugar or salt into any carbonated beverage to produce the same violent reaction but mentos and diet coke have some advantages.
Mentos is essentially a sugar cube so as it dissolves due to the nucleation process, there is still more of it.
Diet coke contains artificial sugar which holds the foam better than regular carbonated beverages.
Can read about nucleation here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nucleation
And about artifical sweetners and the foam produced by these beverages here:
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_043.html
2006-08-28 10:16:08 · answer #1 · answered by slynx000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It just has to be with menthos and diet coke. It's magic!
2006-08-28 08:51:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was on Mythbusters a couple weeks ago. It has to do with the carbonation and the rough surface of a mentos mint.
2006-08-28 08:51:18 · answer #3 · answered by Ronald H 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it's the sugar causing the CO2 to come out of soltuion. that's it.
2006-08-28 16:01:38 · answer #4 · answered by shiara_blade 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ooh.. they explained all that on mythbusters
but this link has some info
http://www.eepybird.com/science1.html
2006-08-28 08:53:02 · answer #5 · answered by spoof ♫♪ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that site has a cool video about it.!
2006-08-28 08:53:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
mmm i never actually tried that
2006-08-28 08:52:00 · answer #7 · answered by irena 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋