Carbonation Science: Diet Coke And Mentos Reaction Quiz

Explanation
The Diet Coke and Mentos eruption is primarily a physical reaction. When Mentos candies are dropped into Diet Coke, the surface of the candies provides sites for the carbon dioxide gas dissolved in the soda to rapidly escape, creating an explosive release of bubbles and foam. This reaction is primarily driven by physical forces rather than chemical reactions between the Mentos and Diet Coke.

Explanation
Yes, the amount of Mentos used can affect the size of the eruption in a Diet Coke and Mentos reaction. Adding more Mentos provides additional nucleation sites for the carbon dioxide gas dissolved in the soda to rapidly escape. As a result, more gas is released, leading to a larger and more vigorous eruption. However, there may be a point of diminishing returns, where adding an excessive number of Mentos may not significantly increase the size of the eruption further. Therefore, while increasing the number of Mentos generally results in a larger eruption, there may be practical limits to the amount that can be effectively used.

Explanation
The process that creates the eruption in the Diet Coke and Mentos reaction is nucleation. When Mentos candies are dropped into Diet Coke, the surface of the candies provides nucleation sites for the carbon dioxide gas dissolved in the soda to rapidly escape, creating an explosive release of bubbles and foam. Therefore, the correct answer is:

Explanation
Yes, fruit-flavored, smooth-coated Mentos can still work in the Diet Coke eruption, although they might not produce as dramatic of a reaction as the original mint-flavored, rough-textured Mentos. The eruption primarily occurs due to the rapid release of carbon dioxide gas from the soda, triggered by nucleation sites provided by the surface of the Mentos candies. While the rough surface of the original Mentos candies provides more nucleation sites and therefore leads to a more vigorous reaction, smooth-coated Mentos can still initiate the eruption, albeit potentially with slightly less intensity.

Explanation
When a liquid is warmer, its molecules move faster and are more likely to escape into the surrounding air. In the case of soda, which is carbonated with dissolved carbon dioxide gas, warming it decreases its ability to retain this gas in solution. This is because warmer liquids have weaker molecular interactions, allowing gas molecules to break free more easily. As a result, when warm Diet Coke is exposed to the atmosphere by opening the bottle or adding Mentos candies, more carbon dioxide gas is released from the solution compared to cold Diet Coke. This increased release of gas leads to a larger and more vigorous eruption when the Mentos are added, as there is a greater buildup of pressure inside the bottle from the escaping gas. Therefore, warming Diet Coke before combining it with Mentos enhances the eruption by facilitating the rapid release of carbon dioxide gas from the soda.

Explanation
No, regular tap water will not create an eruption when combined with Mentos. The Diet Coke and Mentos reaction relies on the specific properties of Diet Coke, particularly its carbonation and ingredients, to produce the eruption. Tap water lacks the necessary components to initiate the reaction, so dropping Mentos into tap water will not result in a similar eruption as seen with Diet Coke.

Explanation
When you shake a bottle of Diet Coke, you're agitating the liquid and causing bubbles of carbon dioxide gas to form and rise to the surface. These bubbles collect at the top of the bottle, increasing the pressure inside. When you open the bottle to add Mentos candies, the sudden release of pressure allows the dissolved carbon dioxide gas to rapidly escape from the solution. The rough surface of the Mentos candies provides numerous nucleation sites where the gas bubbles can rapidly form and grow, creating an eruption of foam and soda.

Explanation
A nozzle helps the Diet Coke and Mentos eruption by focusing the jet upward. When the nozzle is attached to the opening of the Diet Coke bottle, it restricts the flow of soda, creating higher pressure inside the bottle. When the Mentos candies are dropped into the bottle, the sudden release of carbon dioxide gas causes an eruption. The nozzle directs this eruption upward, creating a more dramatic and focused stream of foam compared to an eruption without a nozzle.

Explanation
Yes, dropping an object with small rough holes on its surface into Diet Coke can potentially create an eruption. The rough holes on the surface of the object can act as nucleation sites, similar to Mentos candies, providing locations for carbon dioxide bubbles to rapidly form and escape from the soda. This sudden release of gas can lead to an eruption, although the intensity and size of the eruption may vary depending on factors such as the size and shape of the object, as well as the carbonation level of the Diet Coke.

Explanation
Yes, generally, a larger bottle of soda will produce a larger eruption when combined with Mentos. This is because a larger volume of soda contains more dissolved carbon dioxide gas, which can be rapidly released when nucleation sites provided by the Mentos candies are introduced. Therefore, the more soda available, the greater the potential for a larger eruption. However, other factors such as the number of Mentos used, the temperature of the soda, and the shape of the container can also influence the size and intensity of the eruption.