The Science of Mentos and Coke!
Posted by Carlene GordonThe science of Mentos and Coke…Why does Coke explode when Mentos Candies are added? Fourth graders hypothesized it was the sugar…or maybe the motion of the candies dropping…or maybe something else. We needed to find out. As we did all year long, we discover in science by using the scientific method. First we researched and discovered it was most likely the rough texture of the candies. We then headed outdoors and added Mentos to Coke and watched the eruptions. We hypothesized that IF it was the rough texture of the candies, then sand would create eruptions as well. As soon as the Mentos supply was depleted, we gathered sand and tried again. The observation? Sand created even higher eruptions than the Mentos. Conclusion, it is the rough texture on the candies or the sand grains which provides a surface for the dissolved carbon dioxide to form carbon dioxide bubbles to form so abundantly that they forcefully overflow the bottle. Great last science class, fourth graders! We hope you keep questioning, researching and investigating over the summer!
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