A Mentos dropped into a bottle of soda acts as a surfactant, meaning it reduces the surface tension of the soda. Water molecules are polar and attracted to each other. Anything that breaks them apart allows for bubbles of carbon dioxide gas to form in the solution. Why Does Soda Explode When You Add Mentos? Bursting a Bubble. The bubbles in a bottle of soda are caused by molecules of dissolved carbon dioxide. Generally, water Shaken, Not Stirred. A bottle of soda that gets shaken up releases the gas bubbles into the solution, making the soda Recipe for As the Mentos sinks to the bottom of the soda, it causes the quick production of carbon dioxide bubbles. These rising carbon dioxide bubbles react with more carbon dioxide still in the soda causing it to release as well. The pressure builds up and then creates the eruption or geyser of soda. Make This A Science Project: Mentos, the makers of Mentos Chewy Mints, explains on its website that soda and other fizzy drinks contain a certain amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) that is dissolved in water in the form of tiny bubbles or carbonation. .

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