How do Coke and Mentos eruptions relate to volcanic eruptions?

How do Coke and Mentos eruptions relate to volcanic eruptions?

As the Mentos candy sinks in the bottle, the candy causes the production of more and more carbon dioxide bubbles, and the rising bubbles react with carbon dioxide that is still dissolved in the soda to cause more carbon dioxide to be freed and create even more bubbles, resulting in the eruption.

How are Mentos and soda similar to volcanic eruptions?

When hard Mentos candies are dropped into a bottle of carbonated beverage, the resultant rapid CO2 exsolution and gas expansion causes an impressive soda `eruption’. We explore the ways in which this simple example can be used to demonstrate explosive volcanic processes. The Mentos and soda reaction is dramatic.

What happens during an explosive volcanic eruption?

Explosive eruptions occur where cooler, more viscous magmas (such as andesite) reach the surface. Dissolved gases cannot escape as easily, so pressure may build up until gas explosions blast rock and lava fragments into the air!

What is the purpose of the Coke and Mentos experiment?

Carbon dioxide is the chemical compound that consists of two oxygen atoms bonded to a carbon atom. Carbon dioxide creates the bubbles in soda. The goal of this project is to explore the eruption of carbon dioxide when the candy Mentos dissolves in Diet Coke.

Does Mentos and Coke work?

The trick works with any carbonated beverage. It works with regular cola, orange soda, root beer, etc. It’s actually very cool when performed with tonic water under a black light because you get a glowing blue fountain. However, you can use seltzer water (very easy cleanup) or any soda.

How does the volcano experiment work?

Stand the soda bottle in the baking pan and mold the dough around it into a volcano shape. The red lava is the result of a chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar. In this reaction, the carbon dioxide gas is produced, pressure builds up inside the plastic bottle until the gas bubbles out of the volcano.

What does Coke and baking soda do?

Coke is acid, and the acid joins up with the carbonate in baking soda to form hydrogen carbonate. Hydrogen carbonate then breaks up to become carbon dioxide and water. The carbon dioxide then bubbles off as a gas.

How do volcanic eruptions differ?

The more bubbles a magma develops, the higher the explosivity of the eruption. To better classify the size of volcanic eruptions, volcanologists developed the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) to categorize eruptions.

What causes explosive volcanic eruptions?

A volcano’s explosiveness depends on the composition of the magma (molten rock) and how readily gas can escape from it. As magma rises and pressure is released, gas bubbles (mainly of water vapor and carbon dioxide) form and expand rapidly, causing explosions.

What happens when you mix baking soda with Coke?

The carbonate in the baking soda reacts with the hydrogen in Coca-Cola to create hydrogen carbonate. This then very quickly breaks down into water and carbon dioxide. It is this carbon dioxide that causes the explosion.

What do you need for a volcano experiment?

What you’ll need:

  1. Aluminum cookie sheet.
  2. Cardboard box.
  3. Lots of old newspaper.
  4. Measuring spoon and measuring cup.
  5. Modeling clay (flour, salt, water)
  6. Funnel.
  7. Small plastic bottle (like a small pop bottle)
  8. Baking soda (about 3-4 tablespoons)

Is it a chemical reaction when Mentos are dropped in Coke?

But the amazing eruption that takes place when Mentos are dropped into Diet Coke or other brands of diet soda pop is not a chemical reaction at all! Instead it is a physical reaction. That means that all of the pieces of the reaction are there, but that they are simply rearranged.

Can data collected from Diet Coke and Mentos eruptions be applied to volcanoes?

The data collected from eruption durations from the Diet Coke and Mentos eruptions can be applied to actual volcanoes.

How does the Mentos and diet soda experiment work?

How the Mentos and Diet Soda Experiment Works The Diet Coke and Mentos geyser is the result of a physical process rather than a chemical reaction. There’s a lot of carbon dioxide dissolves in the soda, which gives it its fizz.

How do you record a Mentos volcano eruption?

Add four whole Mentos candies to your cartridge, put on your eye protection, and start the video camera if you want to record the eruption. Place your full cartridge on top of the flat index card. Line up where the opening of the bottle is with the opening of your cartridge.