2007-06-28 15:36:33 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
There's actually a tad more than just nucleation taking place. I have linked to the Wikipedia article which explains in detail the critical parts of the system:
"They [Mythbusters] concluded that the caffeine, potassium benzoate, aspartame, and CO2 gas contained in the Diet Coke and the gelatin and gum arabic ingredients of the Mentos all contribute to the geyser effect."
2007-06-28 16:16:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Mentos provides a large amount of surface area for the dissolved carbon dioxide (the carbonation) to nucleate on. The gas will not come out of its dissolved state unless there's some impurity to form a bubble on. Mentos has so much surface area that thousands of bubble can form at once, and the majority of the dissolved carbon dioxide comes out of solution at once, rapidly expanding and propelling some of the liquid out the top in a jet.
2007-06-28 22:40:40 · answer #2 · answered by lithiumdeuteride 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
mythbusters did this, and i believe it the carbonation that makes it do that but i cant offer you any info other that that , but there is one out there
good luck
2007-06-28 22:40:19 · answer #3 · answered by spindymindi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
MAGIC?
2007-06-28 22:46:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋