What is better for an explosive model volcano? - mentos and cola OR baking soda and vinegar?

Question

I really need some help on this... Which is better? And if e mentos effect is better, what can I do to make the cola look more like lave errupting? Please a.s.a.p somebody!

Answer 1

Mentos and cola is more spectacular, but also harder to control and potentially more dangerours. For a classroom experiment, especially if it must be repeatable, baking soda and vinegar is your best bet. For a one-time outdoor demonstration, you can do mentos and cola; it will get all over everything, so you should wear disposable clothes. You wouldn't want to have to wash sticky cola off of classroom furniture.

Answer 2

The main problem is, everybody has seen the Vinegar and Baking Soda trick - you want something with a litlle more Gusto - especially if you are doing it at school.

This is definately an experiment to do outside.

Instead of cola, use Tango or Fanta (as they are orange) or just use Lemonade and colour it with red/orange food colouring.

Throw in the mentos and get well back........

It's the most fun you'll have with your clothes on !! ;o)

Answer 3

Soda and vinegar is the way to go.

Mentos are too messy, too hard to control. They might make a fun OUTDOOR explosion, but nothing like a volcano.

The last link below will make the most realistic volcano.