Contents:

Quick Reference Sheets:Intro: • Carbonation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 2Experiment: • Mentos and Soda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 3Equipment List: • Mentos and Soda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 4Story, Part 1: • Jack and Jill and the Black Hole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 5Story, Ending• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 6

Video Transcript:Intro: • Carbonation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 7Story, Part 1 : • Jack and Jill and the Black Hole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 10Experiment: • Mentos and Soda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 12Story Ending• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 15

Teacher’s Guide for:

Mentos and SodaNote: All activities in this document should be performed with adult supervision. Likewise, common sense and care are essential to the conduct of any and all activities, whether described in this document or otherwise. Parents or guardians should supervise children. Rock-it Science assumes no responsibility for any injuries or damages arising from any activities.

Note: All activities in this document should be performed with adult supervision. Likewise, common sense and care are essential to the conduct of any and all activities, whether described in this document or otherwise. Parents or guardians should supervise children. Rock-it Science assumes no responsibility for any injuries or damages arising from any activities.

Mentos and Soda A Rock-it Science Lesson Filmed October, 2010

Title Page of Video

NOTE: This is the transcript of a lesson that was videotaped during an actual Rock-it Science class with real students, not actors. The students’ brainstorming comments are included on the video but are not transcribed here because they’re not part of the lesson presentation.

Rock-it Science2110 Walsh Ave, Unit FSanta Clara, CA 95050www.rockitscience.org

(c) 2012 Rock-it Science Educationally Useful Programs. All Rights Reserved

Rock-it Science Teacher’s Guide Mentos and Soda -- Page 2

Intro Quick Recap:Mentosaremint-flavoredcandies,andwhenyousuckonthem,thecovercomesoff.Thecoveris•almostcompletelysugar,andwhenyoudropitinsodaitdissolvesveryquickly.Drawdiagramofacontainerofwaterconsistingof•Mickey Mouse molecules . Carbon dioxide molecules liketojamthemselvesinbetweentheMickeyMousemolecules .Thecolderitis,themorecarbondioxidemolecules•you can jam in .TheMythBustersdiscoveredthatyoucanjamineven•morecarbondioxideifyouaddcaffeine,sodiumbenzoate(apreservative),andphosphoricacid,allofwhicharefoundinordinarysodalikeCokeorDietCoke .Thetapwaterinthisbuildingcontainschlorine(tokill•bacteria),flourine,orflouride(topreventcavities),andammonia(topreventlegionnaire’sdisease).Thecom-binationofchlorineandammoniacreateschloramine,whichisapoisonousgas.Butit’sokaytodrinkit--wethink.Ifyouwanttojamsomecarbondioxideintotapwater,•youcouldblowintothebottle,becausethere’scarbondioxideinyourbreathwhenyoubreatheout.Butyoucanonlypushaboutone-halfofapsi,andyouneedmorelikefiftypsi.UseatankofCO2withahoseconnectedtothebottle•ofwaterandturniton.Ifyouhitthebottle,moreCO2goesintothewater.Ifyoushakeacanofsodaandthenopenit,itwill•sprayallover.Butifyoutapthetopofthecanbeforeyouopenit,itwon’tspray.TurntheCO2pressureuptoabout45psi.Shakethe•bottletomakethewaterabsorbmoreCO2.Shakethebottleandopenthecaptoseeifitfizzes.It•shouldbeslightlyfizzy.Whentheymakesodapop,theyuseabout80psisothe•sodaissuperfizzy.Intoday’sexperiment,we’regoingtotrytomakethe•fizzcomeout.

Water & CO2 molecules.

CO2 bubbling into the water.

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Experiment Quick Recap: “Mentos and Soda”Placeabottleofsodaintoaplastictubonthetable,removethecap,anddroponeMentointoit•toseehowmuchitfizzes.Thendropasecondone,thenathird,toseeifitcontinuestofizz.ShowstudentsasampleofacapwithaholedrilledinitandMentoswithholesdrilledinthem.•TheMentosarethreadedontoawireingroupsoffive,andthewireisthreadedthroughtheholeinthecap.Thecapshavedifferent-sizedholesdrilledinthem,andafewalsohavenozzles.Studentsworkingroupsoftwoorthree.Eachgroupchoosesabottleofsodaandacap.•Outside,eachgrouptakesturnstestingtheirbottles.Theyplacethebottleinabucketofsand•tostabilizeit,removethecap,replacethecapwiththeoneholdingtheMentos,thenreleasethewireandlettheMentosdropintothesoda.Achartonthesideofthebuildingshowshowhighthesodaspurts.Aftereachbottleistested,theInstructorplacesthemonthegroundinorderofhowhighthey•wentsostudentscanseewhichcapsworkedbest.Forthesecondpartoftheexperiment,studentsmodifythecapstomakethesodagohigher.They•canusedrills,straws,orwhateverisaroundthelab.Aftermodifyingtheircaps,eachgroupchoosesanotherbottleofsodaandtheygooutsideand•repeattheexperiment.

Screwing cap with Mentos onto bottle.

This one squirted higher than the building.

Rock-it Science Teacher’s Guide Mentos and Soda -- Page 4

Equipment List: “Mentos and Soda”Items needed for Instructor:

Consumables:

Water 1 .5 liter, boiled and cooled•Carbondioxide(fromtank)•

Other:

2literPlasticBottle•CarbonDioxideTank•Hosetoattachtotank•Bottlecapwith1/8”holeincenter•Wire(straightenedjumbopaperclip)•Mentos,with1/8”holedrilledincenter,5eachstrungon•wireVerticalscaleposterforbuilding•Rope&pulleytohoistposter•5-galbucket,half-filledwithsand•Plasticpitcher•Bottleofrefrigeratedsoda(foroutsidetest)•Safetycones•CautionTape•Garden Hose•Rolling Cart•

Items needed for Students:

Consumables (per group of 2 or 3 students):

5Mentosperbottle(2setspergroup)•Sodas,2-liters,regular&diet(2bottlespergroup)•

Other (per group of 2 or 3 students):

Bottlecapswithvarioussizeholesincenter,some•withnozzles,2capspergroupWire(straightenedjumbopaperclip)persetofMentos•Drillbitsinvarioussizes•Plasticstraws,craftsticks,etc.formodifyingcaps•Glue guns•

Prep Work:

GettankofCarbonDioxide•Boilwater,allowtocool•Refrigerateoneofthe•sodas,leaveothersatroomtempDrillvarioussizeholesin•bottle caps, add nozzles in someAssemble 5 Mentos on •wireforeachcapAttachverticalscaleto•outside buildingPut sand in bucket•Setoutsafetycones&cau-•tion tape

Story Recap: “Jack and Jill and the Black Hole”

Rock-it Science Teacher’s Guide Mentos and Soda -- Page 5

Part 1:

Inouterspace,there’saplanetofKnow-it-Alls.•PeoplecomefromallaroundtohavetheKnow-it-Allssolvetheirproblems.•TheKnow-It-Allscansolveeveryone’sproblemsbuttheirown.SotheyaskJackandJilltohelp•organizeallthepeoplewhocometothemwithproblems.JackandJillinterviewthepeopleinthelineofspaceshipsandorganizethemfromthemost•importantproblemstotheleastimportant.OnedaytheKnow-It-Allsjuststopansweringproblems.Theysaythere’snopoint,butthey•won’tsaywhy.JackandJilllookthroughtheirbinocularsandnoticeablackholethat’sabouttosuckinthe•Know-It-All’splanet.EvilMisterFredwasnearbyonadeathstarthatlookedlikeabunnyrabbit.Hesawtheblack•holeanddecidedtowatchitsuckuptheKnow-it-All’splanetinsteadofblowingitupwithhisdeathstar.

Rock-it Science Teacher’s Guide Mentos and Soda -- Page 6

Ending:

TheKnow-It-Allsknewtheirplanetwasdoomed,andtheydidn’twanttowait.Theywantedto•getitoverwithandpropeltheirplanetrightintotheblackhole.JackandJillcalledtheAcmeStoreofEverythingandorderedtwogiantbottlesofsodaandduct•tapedthemtotheplanet,aimingfortheblackhole.EvilMisterFredthoughttheKnow-It-Allswereplanningtopropeltheirplanettowardtheblack•holesotheycouldsomehowricochetoffit,andhewantedtomakesuretheygotsuckedupin-stead .Heorderedhisminionstorowtowardoneofthesodabottlesandrammedit.Thisturnedthe•planetaroundsoitwaspointingawayfromtheblackhole.Whenthebottlesfiredoff,theducttapecouldn’thold,andtheonethatEvilMisterFredwas•stuckontocameofftheplanetandspiraledintotheblackhole.TheKnow-It-All’splanetstartedspiralinglikecrazybecauseitonlyhadonebottleonit,andit•createdananti-blackholeofitsownandwasabletoescape.

Story Recap (cont.):

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Transcript: Intro Todaywe’regoingtobemixingsodaandMentos,justbecauseit’sfun.WhatawasteofMentos.Youknow,yougodowntothestoreandyoubuyMentos.They’rethesemint-flavoredcandies,andwhenyousuckonthem,thecovercomesoff.Here’sasingleMentos--Idrilledholesinthem.It’sgotawhitecoverandthenit’skindofacream-coloredinside.Yeah,they’rekindofgummyafteryoueatthecoveroff.Thecoverisalmostcompletelysugar,butthenthere’ssomeflavoringinit,too.There’smintflavorinit,andithastheunusualpropertyofdissolvingveryquicklywhenyoudropitinsoda,whichforourpurposes is great .

Andifyougotabottlefullofwater,theMickeyMousesarewatermolecules,andthebrownthingisacarbondioxide.It’sacarbonwithtwooxygensonit.Forsomereason,thecarbondioxidesliketojamthemselvesbetweenMickeyMouses.Andtheygetstuckthere.Theyjustfindplaceswheretheywanttobeandfitrightinthemiddle.Andtheoddthingis,thecolderitis,themoreofthemyoucanjamin.Water,whenyougetitcold,firstitkeepsgettingsmallerandsmallerandsmallerandsmaller,andthen,whenyougetitclosetothefreezingpoint,itdoessomethingweird.Itgetsbigger.SoliketheMickeyMousesfirstgetcloserandclosertogetherasitgetscolder.Thenwhenitgetstoacertainpoint,theymovefurtherapart.Andastheymovefurtherapart,youcanjaminallofthesecarbon dioxides .

AndtheMythBustersdidagreatexperimentwiththis.Theywantedtofindouthowtocramthemostcarbondioxidesinthere.Andtheystartedaddingstuff.Theygotsomepurecaffeine,whichisawhitepowderthatdissolvesinwater.Andtheypouredsomeofthatin,andwiththepurecaffeine,youcanaddmorecarbondioxides.Andthentheygotsomesodiumbenzoate,whichisapreservative.Theythrewsomeofthatinthere,andyoucouldaddmore.Andsomephosphoricacid,andyoucouldaddmore.Sothechemicalmakeupofordinarysodapop,likeDietCokeorregularCokejusthappenstobebalancedjustrighttojaminthemostCO2.

Now,Iimagineyou’vemessedaroundwithCO2before,orsodapopsatleast.Youshakethemandpointthematsomebodywithyourthumboverthetop.Haveyoudonethatbefore?

Well,ifyouwanttofitsomeinregularwater,thisistapwater.Inthisbuilding,whenyoufirstputtapwaterintothebottle,it’swhitish,almostmilkycolored,andifyouletitsitforawhile,thenitgetsclear.Inthepipes,therearegasestheyputinthewater.Oneofthegasesischlorine.Breathethat,andyoudie.Anditusedtobetherewasonlychlorineinthere,andthechlorinekillsthebacteria.Itmakesthewatertastebad,butyoudon’tgetsick.Andthentheythought,well,yourteethwillnotgetcavitiessomuchifyouaddflourine--flouride.Sotheyaddasaltofflouride.Thentheyhadaproblemwithlegionnaire’sdisease.OveratHetchHetchyReservoirthere’slegionnaire’sdiseaseinthewater,anditworksitswaydowntoourpipes.Ifitgetsintoabigdeadendpipe,thenitsitsthereandcooksduringthesummer,andthelegionnaire’sdiseaseexpandsandexpandsanditcomesoutandpeoplegetsick.Sotheyfigured,

Water & CO2 molecules.

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“Well,we’vegottokillthelegionnaire’sdiseaseand,unfortunately,chlorinedoesn’tdoit.Sotheyputinammonia.Usually,ifyouaddchlorineandammonia,yougetapoisonousgas.Anditdoeswhenyouputitinthewater,too.Andthegasiscalledchloramine,andthechloraminekillsthelegionnaire’sdisease--andfish--andcatsdon’tlikeit.Sothewaterwehaveinourtapsnowhaschloramineinitandprob-ablyalittlebitofflouride,dependingonwhereyoulive.Ifyouhaveanactivatedcharcoalfilter,ittakesallthatstuffout.Youcandrinkit.Itwon’thurtyoutodrinkthechloramine--atleast,wedon’tthinkitwill.Maybeafewhundredyearsfromnow,they’llsay,“Wow,thosepeoplewerereallydumb.Lookwhattheydid.”Butwewon’tknowuntilthen.

Now,supposeIwantedtojamsomecarbondioxideinthere.Icouldjustputmymouthoveritandgo[blows into bottle],becausethere’scarbondioxideinmybreathwhenIbreatheout.ButIcanonlypush

aboutone-halfofapsibydoingthat.We’dlikeitmorelikefiftypsi.SoIhaveatankdownherewithcarbondioxideinit.There’scarbondioxidegascomingout.I’mnowfillingthisroomwithpollution.Thisisatoxicgas--aaaggghh![Student: Shouldn’t the door be opened?]No,it’sthesamepollutionthat’sinyourbreathwhenyoubreatheout.It’sthesamepol-lutionthatplantsbreathetostayalive,toproduceoxygensowecanlive.Andit’sthesamestuffthatmakesthebubblesinsoda pop .

Sowe’regoingtoputthislidonit.Thenwe’llturnontheCO2,andthebottle[taps bottle] it rings . CO2 istryingtogetintothewater.There’snotalotofithappeningthere.Yousmackitandmoregoesin.Thisiskindofweirdthatifyouhitit,theCO2goesinbetter.Youknowtheysaythatifyoushakeacanofsodapopandthenyougiveittosomebody,well,theydon’twanttoopenit,becauseassoonastheydoit’llsprayallovertheirface.Butifyoutapthetop,itwon’tsprayontheirface.You’dhavetotrythatandsee.

Now,thisisatsomepressure--it’sataboutthirtypsi.We’lltakeituptoaboutforty-five.Andifyoushakeit,ithasthesameeffect.Thisiskindofodd.Usually,ifyouwanttheCO2tocomeout,youshakethestuff.Butwhenit’sunderpressure,ifyouwantittogoin,youshakethestuff.Orhitit.

Now,howlongdoyouthinkyoucouldkeephittingthisbeforeitfinallywon’tletanymorein?Ifyoudothisforaboutfiveminutes,itwilleventuallystopaddingmoreCO2.Thebottlesaregoodforabout150psi.Thehoseisn’t.Thehoseusuallyleaksataboutfifty.SohowlongshouldwestandherehittingHose from carbon dioxide tank.

Tank of carbon dioxide with hose attached to bottle cap.

Rock-it Science Teacher’s Guide Mentos and Soda -- Page 9

thisthing?Wecouldstayhereforfiveminutes.It’sgoodtotoughenupyourhandsifyou’reinkarateclass.[To student] Here,hitit.Slapit.That’stheway.Takethat!Pretendlikeit’ssomebodyevil.EvilMisterFred--takethat!

Okay,I’mboredwiththisnow,andmyhandisstartingtohurt.Sowe’llturnoffthepressureandthenwe’llopenupthebottle.There.Nowit’sslightlyfizzywater.Howcanwetestittoseeifit’sreallyslightlyfizzywater?Wecoulddrinkit,sure.Wecouldshakeit.That’dbeagoodidea.I’llshakeit.[Shakes bottle, then squirts a little toward students.]Orwecouldshakeitthisway[shakes bottle up and down].Youcantellit’sslightlyfizzy.

Attheplacewheretheymakesodapop,theyincreasethepressurequiteabit.Theygotoabouteightypsi,andtheyreallypunchitintheresothesodaissuperfizzy.Andtodaywe’regoingtotrytomakethefizzcomeout.Butfirstweneeda crazy story .

Hitting the bottle makes more bubbles.

Rock-it Science Teacher’s Guide Mentos and Soda -- Page 10

Story: “Jack and Jill and the Black Hole”Forthisstory,let’smakeittakeplaceinouterspace.AndweneedaplanetofKnow-It-Alls.AndKnow-It-Allshavetowearglasses.There’saKnow-It-All.Doesheneedfeet?Let’sgivehimonefoot.There.There’saKnow-It-All.There’sawholebunchofthemthere,andthefunnythingaboutthemis,theyreallydoknowitall.Eventhoughtheyhavenobrains.PeoplecomefromtheentireuniversetothisplanetjusttotalktotheKnow-It-Allsandsolvetheirproblems.Ifthey’reataplanetthereandthey’vegotpollutionandsomethingelseisgoingon,theygorighthereandsay,“WhatshouldIdo?”AndtheKnow-It-Allssay,“Well,you’vegottodothisandthisandthisandthisandthis,andyourproblemwillbesolved.”Andtheygobackanddoit,andsureenough,theirproblemissolved.Sothere’salwaysalineofspaceshipsouthere,guyscoming,weirdspaceships,totalktotheKnow-It-Alls.

Well,prettysoontheKnow-It-Allsgottiredofthisandtheydidn’tknowwhattodoaboutitthough,becausethereweresomaypeoplewithproblemsandtheyhadtohelpthemsolvetheirproblems.Sotheycalledforsomehelp.Theycansolveotherpeople’sproblemsbutnottheirown.SotheycalledJackandJill.Theysaid,“JackandJill,you’vegottoorganizethosepeoplesotheydon’tbotherussomuch.”AndJackandJillsaid,“Okay.”AndJackandJillstartedinterviewingthepeopleinline,andarrangingthemfromthemostimportantproblemstotheleastimportantproblems.Andthenoneday,theKnow-It-Allsjustsaid,“Stop.That’sit.We’renotdoinganymore.”AndJackandJillsaid,“Well,why?”AndtheKnow-It-Allssaid,“Becauseit’sallpointless.”Andtheywouldn’tsayanymore.AndJackandJillsaid,“Huh.Whywouldtheysayit’spointless?”

Now,JackandJillwereoutthereonedayandthey’relook-ingwiththeirbinoculars,andtheysawnottoofarfromtheirplanet--thisthing.Andtheysawthatthethinghadkindofliketwobluestreaksshootingoutfromthesides,likethat.Andtheysawsomethinglikeagiantgiraffegettingsuckedintoit.Andtheysaid,“Uh-oh!That’sablackhole!That’swhytheKnow-It-Allssaidit’spointlesstocontinue,becausetheirplanet’sgoingtogetsuckedintotheblackhole.Oh,thisisnotgood!”

Well,wheneverthere’sadisasterthat’sgoingtohappen,itattractsfliesandEvilMisterFred.SoEvilMisterFreddidn’tknowabouttheblackholewhenhecreatedhisthing.EvilMisterFredhaddesignedadeathstar.HewasgoingtoblowuptheKnow-It-Allplanetjustbecausehedidn’twanteverybodytoknowstuff.Sohemadethisviciousdeathstarintheshapeofabunny’shead.Buthisminionswouldn’t

Planet of Know-It-Alls

Line of space ships waiting to have Know-It-Alls solve their problems.

The black hole.

Rock-it Science Teacher’s Guide Mentos and Soda -- Page 11

getonuntilheputamustacheonit,andahat,andafrown.There.AndtheobjectivewastousethedeathstartoblowuptheKnow-It-Alls’planet.Thenwhenhegotthere,hesawtheblackhole.Hesaid,“Wow!Thisisgreat.Idon’tevenhavetowasteenergyblowingitup.They’regoingtogetsuckedrightintotheblackhole.Ilikethisjob.I’mgoingtojustsitouthereandwatch.”

Now,wheneversomethinggetssuckedintotheblackhole,itstretchesoutlikealongspaghettinoodle.Itbecomesmoreandmoremassive,andthenitbreaksupintopieces,goesrightintotheblackhole,andthensomeofitsenergyshootsoutside-waysintotheseplasmabeams.AndEvilMisterFredsaid,“Yeah!Iwonderwhat’sgoingtoshootoutinthoseplasmabeams.Mightbesomethinggood.”

Now,ifyouwereJackandJill,andyou’restuckonaplanetandit’sdoomed,whatwouldyoudo?

Evil Mister Fred’s death star.

Imagination and Brainstorming Time

[Students make suggestions](THEREARENOWRONGANSWERS!Whatevertheysay,youshouldreply:“That’sagoodidea,”“Theymightdothat,”etc.Afterbrainstorming,proceedwiththeexperi-ments,thenfinishthestory.)

We’llleavethisToBeContinued...

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Experiment: “Mentos and Soda”Now,Iboughtawholebunchofsodas.SomeofitisDietCokeandsomeofit’sDietPepsi.Theyhap-penedtohaveoneonsaleonedayandanotheroneonsaleanotherday.Sowe’regoingtocomparethem.Wehaveonebottlethat’sreallycoldintherefrigerator,andwehaveonebottlethat’sjustwater--carbonatedwater.Now,we’regoingtotestthoseoutside.Youmayhaveseenawhitethinghunguponthebuildingwithnumbersonit.We’regoingtodropMentosinthereandseehowhightheysquirt.

Weshouldtryoneherefirstjustsoyoucanseewhatitdoes.[Places a bottle of soda in a plastic tub on the table and re-moves the cap, then drops a single Mento into it.]We’lljustputinoneMentoandseewhatitdoes.[Some of the soda fizzes out of the bottle.]Soitworksprettyfast.IfyouaddmoreMentos,let’saddanotherMentoandseeifitdoesanythingtoit . [Drops in a second Mento.]Thesecondonegivesalittlebitofareaction.[Drops in a third Mento and almost nothing happens.]Soyoudon’tneedawholelotofMentostomakeitwork.

WhatyouguysaregoingtobedoingistakingbatchesoffiveMentosthatareonawire.Andthenyou’llhaveacapwithaholeinit,andyougettochoosethesizeofthehole.Andsomeoftheholesarebig,somearesmall,somehavetubesattached,somedon’t.ThenoneofyouwillscrewthisontoyoursodabottleandthendroptheMentos,anditwillsquirtthroughthehole.Theoretically,thesmallerthehole,thehigheritshouldsquirt.That’strue,iftherewasnoair.Butthereisair.Soyou’regoingtoeachhaveyourownbottle--you’regoingtoworkingroupsoftwo,orthreeifyoulike.Andforthefirsttest,you’rejustgo-ingtorandomlychoosesomecap.Onlyonepersonineachgroupisgoingtofiretheirsoff,andseehowhighitgoeswithwhatevercapyouhappentopick.Andthenyou’llsaytoyourself,“Aha!WithmysuperiorbrainpowerIwillnowchoose

abettercap.Andmakeitsquirthigherthanbefore.”Becauseyou’llgettoseewhateverybody’sdoes.

We’lltryonethat’sreallycold,andwe’lltryonethathasnocaffeineoranyoftheotherstuffaddedtoit.Youdon’tgettoeattheMentos.Ifwefigureoutawaytodoit,we’llputinonewithten.Theprob-lemwithputtinginonewithtenis,youputitinandthebottomonesalreadydipintothesodaandstartfizzingwhileyou’retryingtoputthecapon.[Student: What happens if you put Mentos in with the cap on it?]Oh,yeah,ifyoujustdropabunchinandtrytoscrewthecaponwhilethey’resittinginthere?Nothinghappens.It’sreallyprettyboring.Yougetsquirtedalot.

Soda with one Mento dropped in.

Caps with various size holes and nozzles.

Mentos on wire.

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Sopickagroup.Overthereyougettochooseonebottle,eitheraCokeoraPepsi,butnottheclearone.Andthenyoucome,chooseacapamongstwhatever’sthere.Fornow,it’sonebottlepergroup.Pickonecapwithaholeinitforyourbottle.AndthencomeoverhereandgrabawirewithMentosonit,onepergroup.Don’teatthem.Don’ttakethecapoff.One’sonthebottle,andoneyou’regoingtoscrewonwiththeMentosstickingtoit.Okay,whenyouhaveyourMentosandabottleandacap,comeoutside.

[Outside, teams take turns testing their bottles. They place the bottle in a bucket of sand to stabilize it, remove the cap, replace the cap with the one holding the Mentos, then release the wire and let the Men-tos drop into the soda. A chart on the side of the building shows how high the soda spurts. After each bottle is tested, the Instructor places them on the ground in order of how high they went so students can see which caps worked best. The Instructor also tests the bottle of carbonated water, which hardly spurts at all.]

Measuring scale on side of building. Setting the bottle in the bucket.

Getting ready to screw on the cap with the Mentos. This one went as high as the building.

Rock-it Science Teacher’s Guide Mentos and Soda -- Page 14

Soyoucanseetheeffectofallthecaffeineandallthatotherstuff.Itstoresalotmorecarbondioxide.Nowgolookatallthebottlesandthelidsthattheyhave.Ifyouwant,youcanchooseoneoftheselids,andyoucanmodifyitanywayyouwant.Andthere’sotherlidsinside.Leavethebottlesthere.Justtakethelid,butnotthebottle.Okay,goinside,chooseanotherbottle.

[Students modify the caps to try to make them shoot the soda farther, using drill bits, straws, etc., then take them outside and test them.]

Soifyouwantittonotgoveryhigh,youuseitreallycoldoryouaddnocaffeineoranyotherstuff.Ifyouwantittogorealhigh,youeithermaketheholesmalloryouputinawholebunchofMentos.Okay,ev-erybodygraballofyourbottlesandcapsandstuffandtakethembackinside.Pourtheextrasodainthebathroomsink.Youcan’tdrinkit.

After testing, bottles are lined up according to which cap spurted highest.

Drill bits for modifying bottle caps.

Ten Mentos. Two very small holes in cap.

A plastic straw nozzle.

Rock-it Science Teacher’s Guide Mentos and Soda -- Page 15

End of Story * DO NOT * present this part of the lesson until after the experiments!

End of Lesson

If y0u have questions about this lesson, please ask them through the online Teacher Support Forum on our web site.

SotheKnow-It-Allsknewitall.Theyknewtheirplanetwasdoomed,andtheytoldJackandJilltosendallthespaceshipsaway.Andtheysaid,“Wewantittogofaster.Wedon’twanttodelayourdoom.Wewanttopropelthisplanetrightintotheblackhole.”AndJackandJillsaid,“Okay,whatdoyouwanttodo?”Theysaid,“CalltheAcmeStoreofEverything.Ordertwogiantsodas.”Sotheydid.Andsomeducttape.Andtheyducttapedthesodastotheplanet,aimingdirectlytowardstheblackhole.

AndEvilMisterFredsawthisandhesaid,“Whoa,theythinkthey’resmart?Thoseguysaredumberthanaboxofrocks.Lookatthem.They’regoingtopropelthemselvesrighttowardstheblackhole.”Andthenhesaid,“Butwaitaminute.ThoseguysareKnow-It-Alls.Theyknoweverything.TheymustknowsomethingIdon’tknow.Andbypropellingittowardstheblackhole,maybethey’regoingtoricochetofforsomething.”SoEvilMisterFredcalledtheAcmeStoreofEverythingandheorderedsomebubblegum.Andheputitonthenoseofhisrabbit.Hesays,“Okay,minions,startrowing.”Andtheminionshadoars,andtheywererowingasfastastheycould.Hesaid,“We’regoingtoramtheplanet.We’regoingtoturnitaroundtheotherwaysothatthey’llgointotheblackhole,becauseobviouslyiftheythinkthey’regoingtogoawayfromitbypointingthatway,we’llreverseitonthem.”

Sohedid.Hehadthebunnycomedownandramthething.Thebunnystuckhisnoserightagainstthebottlehereandpushedashardashecouldwiththeminionsrowing.Andtheyturnedtheplanetaround.AndthebottleswiththesodaandMentosfiredoff,buttheducttapewasn’tenoughtoholdit.Andsonowthebottlesarepointedthatwayandzoominglikecrazy,andEvilMisterFredandhisdeathstararestuckononeofthebottlesthat’sgoingcrazythroughspace.AndEvilMisterFredandhisplanetwentrightintotheblackhole--ka-boom--andgotsuckedup.AndtheonewiththeKnow-It-Allsstartedtospiralcrazybecauseit’sonlygotonebottleonit.It’sgoingwzhoom,wzhoom,wzhoom,likethatthroughspace.Andasitspiraled,itcreatedananti-blackholeofitsownandwasabletoescape.Andtheyalllivedhappilyever,exceptEvilMisterFred.

Giant soda bottles on planet.

Death star ramming the soda bottle.