The Diet Coke and Mentos experiment is exciting to do for kids of all ages. We created this Coke and Mentos experiment lesson plan as part of our chemistry experiments for kids because it’s literally exploding with fizzing soda reactions and chemical changes!
But how exactly does the diet coke and mentos experiment work?
It all starts with two seemingly ordinary items—a bottle of Diet Coke and a roll of Mentos candies. When combined in a specific way, the coke and Mentos create a dramatic fizzing chemistry experiment that sends soda shooting into the air like a geyser.
Imagine witnessing a miniature volcanic eruption right in your own backyard!
The carbon dioxide in the Diet Coke and the bumpy surface of the Mentos candy are the key ingredients for this visually stunning display during the coke and mentos experiment lesson plan.
Table of Contents
Diet Coke and Mentos Experiment Lesson Plan: The Magic of the Diet Coke and Mentos Geyser
The diet coke and mentos experiment lesson plan is a simple yet astonishing experiment that demonstrates the power of a chemical reaction in action.
With just a bottle of Diet Coke and a roll of Mentos candies, you can create a captivating eruption that surpasses expectations.
When the Mentos come into contact with the soda, a rapid release of carbon dioxide gas occurs, resulting in an explosive fizz.
The pressure builds up so quickly that the liquid is forcefully expelled in a powerful stream, creating the geyser-like effect.
How Does the Diet Coke and Mentos Experiment work?
The coke and mentos experiment lesson plan is a fascinating display of a chemical reaction in action and also that of a physical change causing a reaction between two ingredients.
When Mentos candies are dropped into a bottle of Diet Coke, it causes a rapid release of carbon dioxide gas, resulting in a dramatic eruption. But how does this reaction occur?
The reaction is primarily caused by two factors: the rough surface of the Mentos candy and the carbon dioxide gas dissolved in the Diet Coke.
The surface of the Mentos candy contains tiny pits and crevices, which provide numerous nucleation sites for gas bubbles to form.
When the candies are dropped into the soda, these nucleation sites allow the carbon dioxide gas to rapidly escape from the liquid.
The carbon dioxide gas in the Diet Coke is dissolved under pressure. When the bottle is opened or the candies are added, the pressure inside the bottle decreases.
This change in pressure triggers the gas bubbles to form on the rough surface of the Mentos. The gas bubbles rapidly expand, creating a fizzing effect.
As more and more gas bubbles are produced, the pressure builds up inside the bottle, eventually leading to an explosive release of the gas.
The liquid is forced out of the bottle in a powerful stream, creating the geyser-like eruption.
Is Fizzing a Chemical Change?
In fact, the reaction between the Mentos and Diet Coke is primarily a physical reaction rather than a chemical one.
The candy’s rough surface provides the necessary conditions for the gas bubbles to form quickly.
The process happens so rapidly that it creates a visually captivating and exciting reaction.
Supplies for a Diet Coke and Mentos Geyser
Here is what you’ll need to create this fizzing chemical reaction and complete your coke and mentos experiment lesson plan. These links are to Amazon or other affiliates of STEAMsational.
Coke and Mentos Experiment Kits
Here are some alternative options for doing this fizzing chemical experiment and coke and mentos experiment lesson plan with a group of students.
- Classroom Geyser Pack (for 10 students)
- Steve Spangler’s Extreme Geyser Tube
- Observable Forces Classroom Bundle
If you love science and STEM but don’t like hunting for supplies, we love the Mel Science kits. They have options for elementary and middle school, and each kit comes with all the supplies needed for each experiment!
Diet Coke and Mentos Experiment STEM Extensions
Here are some STEM extensions you can add on to your coke and mentos experiment lesson plan.
Fizzing chemistry experiment variable exploration
Encourage students to experiment with different factors and observe their effects on the geyser. They can investigate elements such as the brand of soda, the size or shape of the candies, the temperature of the candies, or their surface roughness.
By systematically testing these variables, students can collect data and analyze how they impact the reaction. This exploration promotes critical thinking, hypothesis development, and data analysis skills.
Coke and mentos experiment lesson plan data analysis
Extend the experiment by incorporating data analysis and charting. Students can measure and record information from multiple trials, such as the height or duration of the geyser.
By organizing and graphing the data, students can visually explore the relationships between different variables, enhancing their mathematical skills and solidifying their understanding of scientific principles.
Geyser design engineering challenges
Introduce design engineering challenges related to the Mentos and Diet Coke Geyser.
Assign students the task of designing and building a device to control the force or direction of the geyser or develop a mechanism to initiate or stop the reaction.
This extension allows students to apply their knowledge of engineering, physics, and problem-solving to create innovative solutions.
Coke and mentos experiment science fair project
Encourage students to develop a science fair project based on the coke and mentos experiment lesson plan. They can formulate their own research question, design experiments to test their hypotheses, collect data, and present their findings.
Soda and mentos science project hypothesis: When Mentos candies are added to different brands of soda, the brand with the highest carbonation levels will result in the most significant eruption.
Based on prior knowledge and observations, the hypothesis predicts that the level of carbonation in soda will affect the intensity of the reaction when combined with Mentos candies.
Soda with higher levels of carbon dioxide gas dissolved in it will have a greater potential for gas release when the nucleation sites on the Mentos’ rough surface trigger bubble formation.
The with the highest carbonation levels is expected to produce the most substantial eruption when combined with Mentos.
More Chemistry Experiments to Try
Here are some other fun chemistry experiments that kids will love after you complete your coke and mentos experiment lesson plan.
- 15 Explosive and Awesome Chemistry Sets For Kids
- What is a Chemical Reaction for Kids?
- Chemical Reactions! How to Turn a Penny Green Experiment
- The Effect of Temperature on Reaction Time
How to Do the Mentos and Diet Coke Experiment Step by Step
The coke and mentos experiment lesson plan offers a tangible way for students to explore chemical reactions. Through firsthand observations, students can understand concepts such as nucleation sites, gas solubility, and the relationship between surface area and reaction rate.
This experiment also fosters critical thinking, logical reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Get the complete coke and mentos experiment lesson plan below!
Get the printable step-by-step directions for the coke and mentos experiment lesson plan below!
And don’t forget to use our free mentos and coke experiment worksheet that you can download by clicking the image below to complete your fizzing chemistry experiment!
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Diet Coke and Mentos Geiser
Looking for a simple and exciting science experiment? Look no further than the Diet Coke and Mentos experiment lesson plan! With just two ingredients and one worksheet, all you have left to do is teach the lesson!
Materials
- Diet coke
- Mentos
Tools
- Paper towels
- Measuring tape
- Science notebook
Instructions
1. Take your experiment outdoors, otherwise, your ceiling will bear the results of your experiment forever!
2. Open your diet coke carefully, the preference for diet coke is just that it is not sticky and will not attract bugs to the area the way a regular coke can, but you can also try this with regular coke and rinse it away.
3. Create a tube with rolled up paper just large enough to hold your mentos, hold your finger over the end until ready to drop them.
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