Electric current is found when Menthos is put in Coca cola

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around an experiment involving the reaction between Menthos candy and Coca Cola, specifically focusing on the unexpected observation of electric current generation when a multimeter is used to measure it. The scope includes experimental observations and potential explanations related to chemical reactions and conductivity.

Discussion Character

  • Experimental/applied
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant reports measuring an electric current when Menthos is added to Coca Cola, prompting others to verify the experiment.
  • Another participant requests additional details about the experimental setup, including the placement of multimeter probes and their materials.
  • Some participants suggest that the acidic nature of Coca Cola could lead to reactions with metal electrodes, potentially explaining the observed current due to concentration differences in the electrolyte.
  • There is a question raised about whether the current ceases when the reaction stops, indicating a possible relationship between the reaction dynamics and the current measurement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of agreement regarding the potential explanations for the observed current, with some supporting the idea of chemical reactions influencing conductivity while others seek further clarification and verification of the experimental results. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact cause of the current generation.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include a lack of detailed methodology in the initial experiment, such as the specifics of the multimeter setup and the materials used for the probes. The dependence on the chemical properties of Coca Cola and Menthos is also noted but not fully explored.

thinh123
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Few years ago, we have known about the phenomenon that Coca cola is overflow severely when a piece of Menthos candy is put inside.

I replicate this experiment, with a multimeter is used to measure the current. With my surprise, the needle vibrates to show that an electric current is generated.

Could anyone repeat my experiment to find out that if I am wrong or not

Thank you
 
Physics news on Phys.org
thinh123 said:
Few years ago, we have known about the phenomenon that Coca cola is overflow severely when a piece of Menthos candy is put inside.

I replicate this experiment, with a multimeter is used to measure the current. With my surprise, the needle vibrates to show that an electric current is generated.

Could anyone repeat my experiment to find out that if I am wrong or not

Thank you
I think a somewhat better description of what you did is needed. Where did you put the probes, what is the material of the probes, what is the range of the multimeter, etc.
 
Your observation is not unsurprising. Coke is acidic so will react with metal immersed in it. You expect to see a potential difference between immersed electrodes if there is a concentration difference in the electrolyte. The menthos reaction is unevenly distributed in the bottle, and as the reaction proceeds it causes a fluctuating difference in electrolyte concentrations near the electrodes.

When the reaction has ceased, does the current also appear to cease?
 
NascentOxygen said:
Your observation is [strike]not[/strike] unsurprising.

Correcting my own post.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
6K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 79 ·
3
Replies
79
Views
7K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
2K