Cola Geyser

I know what a cola geyser is and you probably know, too. I already know that you put some Mentos in a coke bottle and it overflows. But, I don't know how it happens. So, I'm going to give directions on how to make a cola geyser and then I will tell you how it happens. Let's get started!

You will need

• Package of Mentos candies 
• Test  Tube
• 2-inch-square piece of cardboard
• 2-liter plastic bottle of Diet Coke

Directions

1. Put 12 Mentos candies in a test tube and hold the cardboard to the open top of the tube.

2.Open the bottle of diet soda and put the test tube upside down on top of the open bottle, still holding the cardboard in place.

3. Take care to know which way to run :P

4. Slide the cardboard away quickly so that the candies drop in.

5. Run clear and watch as the cola explodes out of the bottle!

Scientific Excuse

This explosive reaction comes from the sudden release of carbon dioxide, the gas that gives soda it's bubbles. This carbon dioxide normally remains dissolved in the soda because there are no nucleation sites - irregularities around which bubbles can form. Seen close up, a single Mento had a craggy surface - providing hundreds of nucleation sites. A dozen of those candies dumped in at once sets off a massive release of carbon dioxide, forcing the cola out of the bottle like a rocket. Diet cola works best because most non-diet colas use corn syrup, which suppresses the formation of bubbles.

Take care! Do this experiment outdoors, well away from anything (or anyone). You wouldn't want to become a sticky, wet mess. Unless you want something - or someone - to become a sticky, wet mess, in which case you should perform this experiment at your own risk!

 I got all of this amazing information from "The Book of Totally Irresponsible Science: 64 Daring Experiments for Young Scientists" by Sean Connolly. Did you like this experiment? If you did, there are plenty more in this book that you can order right HERE