Mentos and Coke

None. The Mentos reduce the solubility of CO₂ in the Coca-Cola, causing it to fizz out like crazy.

Yep. It's all about nucleation, baby!

As a simple proof, try Diet Coke and rock salt. Not quite as energetic, but impressive.

We used to use salted peanuts (NO! Take the shell off first. Whew!).

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=mentos+and+coke&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&ie=&oe=&rlz=1I7DKUK_en-GB&redir_esc=&ei=2ikITOD4K4j00gTHtLBn

Mythbusters did a program on this. Google "Mythbusters mentos and coke episode" It's a combination of nucleation on the rough surface of the Mentos and the aspartame, preservative and caffine in the Diet Coke reacting with the gum arabic and gelatin in the Mentos, according to their website.

They managed a 30 ft fountain, by the way. Impressive.

They covered it really well, and broke it down on a component level..

iIt was not bad for a bunch of nogoodnicks!

..I'm just so used to them being lambasted by the omnipotent of €®4!

............and if one drinks this concoction? I have enough flatulance as it is. LUCY BEWARE!

I haven't a clue but while answering this might one of you refresh my memory on the issue of a shower of sparks when chewing certain flavors of Lifesaver candy?

L.J.

Yeah, I do sort of remember those.

An internet search tells me Triboluminescence is the culprit of the phenomenon. From Wiki:

"...when sugar crystals are crushed, tiny electrical fields are created, separating positive and negative charges that then create sparks while trying to reunite. Wint-O-Green Life Savers work especially well for creating such sparks, because wintergreen oil (methyl salicylate) is fluorescent and converts ultraviolet light into blue light."

Or, as they say on Mythbusters "CAUTION: Science Content."

I don't know if this was planned by the manufacturer, or just a luck happenstance.

Thanks Doorman!

L.J.