Heterogeneous nucleation - Mentos and coke

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the phenomenon of heterogeneous nucleation observed in the Mentos and Diet Coke experiment. Participants clarify that carbon dioxide (CO2) is dissolved in the soda as a gas, not a liquid, and that the rapid release of gas occurs when Mentos are introduced, creating nucleation sites. The pressure in the soda decreases due to the rapid formation of gas bubbles, which leads to the explosive eruption. Additionally, a super-pressurized soda will indeed produce a higher eruption due to increased gas solubility.

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  • Understanding of heterogeneous nucleation
  • Knowledge of gas solubility principles
  • Familiarity with pressure dynamics in liquids
  • Basic chemistry concepts regarding states of matter
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  • Research the principles of heterogeneous nucleation in detail
  • Explore the solubility of gases in liquids, focusing on carbonated beverages
  • Study the effects of pressure on gas release in liquids
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This discussion is beneficial for chemistry students, educators, and anyone interested in the physical chemistry of carbonated beverages and nucleation phenomena.

Kruler
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Hello guys , I'm a medical student , and I'm very fascinated by this Mentos and diet cola experiment , however i do not understand it completely and i would like to know the followings
-From my understanding it happens because of Heterogeneous Nucleation , is that right ? Then i do not undertand why is the CO2, which starts as liquid form turns actually into gas ? isn't supposed to turn into solid by common logic ? I don't really understand that.
-Why is that happens mainly when the mentos sinks at the bottom of the coke ?
-After this phenomenon, is the liquid (coke) + CO2 still pressurized ? if its not , why is it losing it's pressure ?
-Last question about the pressure - does a super-pressurized coke will produce an higher eruption ?

I read some in the internet , but every website explains the Nucleation process differently , i think i understand it , but not fully though.

I asked a lot of questions , but I'm really curious :)
 
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Then i do not undertand why is the CO2, which starts as liquid form turns actually into gas ? isn't supposed to turn into solid by common logic ?

The C02 starts off as a gas disolved in the coke. It stays a gas.
 
CWatters said:
The C02 starts off as a gas disolved in the coke. It stays a gas.
Thanks for the reply , so i assume that the cola + CO2 is a supersaturated solution , why is the mentos and the nucleation causing it to lose pressure ?
 
sry for bumping guys , i would really appreciate if anyone knows a good webpage / article / book about nucleation (except wiki)
 

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