In a recent viral challenge video, popular content creator MrBeast captivated audiences with an experiment that involved tossing giant Mentos into a massive bottle of soda.
This challenge, themed around the beloved film Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, not only showcased the explosive reaction between Mentos and soda but also featured various entertaining games with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay serving as a judge.
The Challenge Overview
The video, titled “Tossing Giant Mentos Into A MASSIVE Bottle,” quickly gained traction on social media, amassing over 9.8 million views shortly after its release.
Participants in the challenge competed for ownership of MrBeast’s chocolate brand, Feastables, engaging in several rounds of games that included cooking challenges judged by Ramsay himself.
The climax of the experiment involved contestants attempting to successfully drop oversized Mentos into a large soda bottle, leading to a spectacular eruption of soda when the candies interacted with the carbonated beverage.
The Science Behind the Eruption
The explosive reaction observed in this experiment is rooted in chemistry.
When Mentos are dropped into soda, they act as nucleation sites for carbon dioxide bubbles.
Each Mento has thousands of tiny pits on its surface, which allow carbon dioxide gas to quickly form bubbles.
As these bubbles rise to the surface, they rapidly displace liquid, resulting in a dramatic geyser effect.
This phenomenon can be explained as follows:
– Nucleation Sites: The pits on the surface of the Mentos provide ideal locations for carbon dioxide bubbles to form.
– Density and Weight: The weight of the Mentos causes them to sink rapidly to the bottom of the bottle, allowing for a quick release of gas and liquid.
– Pressure Build-Up: The rapid formation of bubbles creates pressure that forces the liquid out of the bottle in a spectacular eruption.
Execution of the Experiment
In MrBeast’s video, participants utilised oversized Mentos which heightened the visual impact of the experiment.
The setup involved carefully opening a massive bottle of soda and coordinating the drop of these giant candies to maximise the geyser effect.
This required precision and timing, as even slight delays could diminish the explosive outcome.
To replicate this at home (with proper safety precautions), one could follow these steps:
1. Gather Materials:
– A large bottle of soda (preferably diet soda for a more vigorous reaction).
– Giant Mentos or multiple regular-sized ones.
– A safe outdoor location.
2. Prepare for Eruption:
– Open the soda bottle carefully.
– Use a tube or paper funnel to drop all Mentos into the bottle simultaneously.
3. Stand Back:
– Move away quickly after dropping the Mentos to avoid getting soaked!
Conclusion
MrBeast’s giant Mentos and Coke experiment not only entertained millions but also provided an engaging demonstration of scientific principles at play.
By combining fun challenges with educational content, he continues to inspire curiosity and excitement about science among his viewers.
This event serves as a reminder that experiments can be both thrilling and informative, merging entertainment with learning in spectacular fashion.
Citations:
[1] https://stevespangler.com/experiments/original-mentos-diet-coke-geyser/