Soda Fountain

cyclotour says: Jun 3, 2006. 8:40 PM

I would like to know the chemical reaction which takes place. Both the equation and a verbal but (short) description in layman's terms.

joh6nn in reply to cyclotourJun 3, 2006. 9:53 PM

roughly, the equation is:
carbonation + sugar = fooooom!

in layman's terms, that'd be: "FIRE IN THE HOLE!"

1

Cartuner55 in reply to joh6nnSep 28, 2007. 7:15 PM

nope!
mythbusters tested it. its what lemonie ^said.
nucleation sites allow bubbles to form and cause them to form quick!
put a smooth mento in and see what happens

7

Derin in reply to Cartuner55Dec 8, 2008. 12:01 AM

nothing?

1

Cartuner55 in reply to DerinDec 9, 2008. 12:54 PM

Yep. Its all about the neucleation sites.

7

Derin in reply to Cartuner55Aug 24, 2009. 11:32 AM

Also,if the sugar was what triggered the reaction,ordinary cola (red label) would blow up after being carbonated.

mohnish says: Jul 11, 2009. 6:35 AM

i have already done this unknowingly in my mouth

1

mewantbigboom says: Sep 1, 2006. 7:04 PM

didnt they do this this on mythbusters?

1

little_genius241974 in reply to mewantbigboomDec 17, 2006. 8:15 PM

yes they did (I'm a big fan of mythbusters)

1

Metal4God in reply to little_genius241974Jul 5, 2009. 11:30 AM

did u know Kari had a baby?? now she is offically a MILF!

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Bartboy says: Apr 28, 2008. 4:51 PM

it works quite well... but I bought a kit from steve spangler science ( he invented this ) and it has a tube that makes it go up to 70 feet!

I am a doofus says: Jan 16, 2008. 7:54 PM

nice drowing (I cant spell)

fatherjack says: Jun 2, 2006. 7:53 AM

whats the UK equivalent to Mentos?

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Vendigroth in reply to fatherjackNov 12, 2007. 11:37 AM

you'll find that it's Mentos, as a matter of fact. Sorry for the sarcasm, but they're quite easy to find, try at the checkouts at supermarkets, or at corner shops.

fizdup says: Jun 12, 2006. 6:41 PM

wrique: that video is GREAT! I am a science teacher and there has got to be some way I can work this into my lessons. Just one thing, does anyone know where to get mentos in the UK? I'm not sure that they are sold here. Will polos work?

Crash in reply to fizdupNov 15, 2006. 8:45 AM

they're sold in this country. just look at this link.
http://mentos.co.uk/info_mentos.html

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lemonie says: Oct 15, 2006. 4:49 PM

Believe it's down to nucleation sites. Please see here for more info:
http://eepybird.com/science1.html

stupidkid2000 says: Sep 27, 2006. 4:51 PM

This is lame compared to the mentos/coke rockets people are making. Simply drop a roll of unflavored mentos into a DIETcoke bottle with the foil wrapping still on, quickly put the cap back on and shake the crap out of it. When you are ready, unscrew the cap a bit so you can hear the gas escaping, throw it at the ground and if you throw it right the bottle will fly for about 50 meters.
For more information, visit http://www.mentosandcoketrick.com/

sarsey99 says: Jul 10, 2006. 3:54 PM

you can buy mentos in the uk from home and bargain

=)

1

GadgetmanKen says: Jun 17, 2006. 3:42 PM

Having had been in the vending industry a long time, I will tell you that the reason the diet sodas work better is because they are somewhat watery, and not as syrupy. They (diet colas) are also the first ones to freeze in winter or an unplugged vending machine. Less syrup equals less mass and weight. Its easier for the Co2 to pass thru thinner liquids.

huldumadurin says: Jun 8, 2006. 1:51 PM

yeah, ive heard it blows up if you throw it at something

3

wrique says: Jun 4, 2006. 4:11 PM

I just viewed this link from the Make blog http://eepybird.com/dcm1.html It is diet coke & mentos taken to an insane & beautiful new level!

cvillewill says: Jun 4, 2006. 2:53 PM

Yeah on that stevespanglerscience.com thing it said that the best soda to use us diet because it cleans up easier that might be something to add. There is no difference in height of fountain between diet and regular. I can imagine some mean things that could be done with these fountains...

blog.darkforestdesign.com says: Jun 2, 2006. 11:32 AM

This does look like fun - I originally saw it here: http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/00000109
Which is a video of some sort of "science dude" and a television reporter doing this. They use a test tube capped off with a playing card instead of a funnel. Take a look, the video is quite incredible.