Lourdes School of Mandaluyong

High School Department

Senior High School

Name: Terry Gabriel C. Signo Date Performed: ___/___/____

Group Number: _______________________ Date Submitted: ___/___/____
Year and Section: _______________________ Rating: ___________________

EXPERIMENT NO. 2
MENTOS AND COLA ERUPTIONS

Materials:
One roll of mentos 1.5 L or 2 L bottle of cola or soft drinks

Note: Use the sink for the activity.

Procedure:

1. Unwrap one roll of Mentos candies. Stack the candies in a rolled up piece of
paper.
2. Cover one end of the stack with another piece of paper and place it directly on top of the open 2-L
bottle of cola or soft drinks.
3. Quickly remove the paper at the bottom of the stack of Mentos to allow the candies to drag into the
bottle. Stand back and watch the eruption as it will propel liquid out of the bottle.

Guide Questions:

1. Is the eruption a result of an acid + base reaction like the vinegar and baking soda eruption? Explain
your answer. (3 pts.)

No. The reaction that happened is a physical one instead of the chemical one, which the given
example is. The roughness of the surface of Mentos breaks the carbon water bond present in
the soda, thus making such eruption.

2. What is inside Mentos and Cola that reacts with each other, causing the eruption? (1 pt.)

The roughness of the surface of the candy and the carbonated nature of the Coke makes the
reaction happen.

3. What can be done in order to make the eruption stronger and higher? (3 pts.)

Having candies that has a rougher texture, denser weight will make the eruption faster. Using
more candies will amplify the eruption. A soda with a much higher carbon content will also
help make the reaction bigger.
Generalization:

What are the factors that affect the eruption style of a volcano? (3 pts.)

The eruption of a volcano varies base on factors such as: The magma composition/mineral content, which
affects its viscosity. Highly viscous magma will result to slower, abrupt blasts while erupting, while low viscous
magma will result to free-flowing lava, but no sudden blasts.

Concept/s Developed:

Why do some volcanoes erupt violently while others erupt quietly? (3

pts.)

A volcano’s eruption varies based on the viscosity of magma. Highly viscous magma will erupt
violently, while less viscous magma will erupt quietly.

Application:

How the materials that can be found in magma can be used by people? (3 pts.)

The materials that can be found when magma surfaces to the Earth that can be beneficial to
people are volcanic debris and nutrients. Volcanic debris can be used as an alternative product
to facilitate building infrastructures, while the nutrients make the soil very fertile; which aids the
growth of crops, thus helping farmers.

Valuing:

What are the things you need to have in

preparation for a volcanic explosion? Why?

(4 pts.)

Having documents, first aid kit, radio, flashlight, food, mask and pocket money will make surviving a volcanic
eruption an easier task. Also, having a mind that is not prone to panicking will help us decide better in times
of confusion. Having these in our arsenal, our chance of surviving will be higher.

Source: Rodolfo, R.S. et.al. (2016) Exploring Life through Science Series. Earth Science. Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing
House, Inc. p. 180A