❓ why
Why do Mentos make Diet Coke erupt?
sciencechemistry
Quick Answer
The rough surface of Mentos provides countless sites for dissolved CO₂ to form bubbles almost instantly.
The Full Story
It is a physical reaction, not a chemical one. Under a microscope, a Mentos surface is covered in tiny pits that act as nucleation sites, letting carbon dioxide rapidly escape from solution. Ingredients like gum arabic in the candy and aspartame in Diet Coke lower surface tension, making bubble formation even easier. Because Mentos are dense, they sink quickly, releasing gas throughout the bottle and producing a geyser several metres tall.
Key Facts
1.Diet Coke is favoured because it produces bigger geysers and is less sticky than sugary cola.
2.The experiment became a viral sensation in 2005–2006.
3.Warm soda erupts more strongly than cold soda.
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"The Mentos Geyser Explained — It's Not Chemistry"