Ever since our first video that went viral in 2005, people have been dropping Mentos into Diet Coke and other sodas for fun and hopefully for a little science too. No one has been more creative than the guys at Eepy Bird, who recently built a car that runs on Coke and Mentos geysers. This is their second attempt at the car and after some modifications and test drives, they ran it at a local race track.
Their geyser soda car is built using 54 bottles of Coke Zero and 324 Mentos. It runs on a piston mechanism with 6′ tubes attached to the soda bottles. The tubes each have a 6′ rod inside. The pressure from the reaction pushes the rods out of the tubes to push the car off the wall. It’s all coasting from there.
The video of their geyser rocket car has become popular on YouTube. Unfortunately, this isn’t something anyone can build and run themselves. If you want to run your own version of the Mentos Geyser Rocket, check out our Mentos Geyser Car. It’s fun, it’s science and it fits in your arms. Read some reviews on the Geyser car for more information.
We have reached Day #9 in our 12 Days of Wonder. Today’s spotlight science toy is Geyser Car.
Steve Spangler Science is celebrating the 12 Days of Wonder and highlighting our top 12 science toys and kits that are perfect to put under the tree. As blog editor, social media coordinator and mom of two budding scientists, I will share my review of each product. Steve Spangler Science also found 12 respected, popular mom bloggers to each test and review one of our 12 science gifts. I will include a link to their blogs and their honest reviews of each gift idea at the bottom of this post. Today, Sarah from Moose Tracks and Tater Stacks shares her review. The kit is also the Deal of the Day. So check our blog every day for the next few weeks to learn all about our 12 Days of Wonder.
Day 9 of the 12 Days of Wonder features the Geyser Car.
Today only, this kit is our DEAL of the Day for $12.50. Regular price is $24.99.
My Review:
I brought the Geyser Car to our Thanksgiving dinner. It served as our after dinner entertainment.
We are showing our new Mentos® Geyser Rocket Car at the New York Toy Fair this week. Strap the car to a bottle of soda, like Diet Coke, drop in some Mentos® and let it take off. It goes fast and can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour and travel about 150 feet, so make sure you watch for speed traps if out in the neighborhood. The Rocket Car will be available to purchase this summer.
Science teachers have been doing the soda and mint experiment for years and years, but the original method used Wintergreen Lifesavers. When the manufacturer of the candies changed the diameter making them larger than the opening of the 2-liter bottle, teachers went looking for a substitute. MENTOS® candy did the trick, and proved to be the perfect candy to mix with the carbonated soda. For more information on the Mentos/soda reaction, read our experiment and watch the video that started the craze back in 2005.
No one cared that it was cold outside. These kids could hardly wait to see what would happen next. Giggles and laughter bounced from child to child as the group of second graders positioned themselves around the 2-liter bottle of diet soda.
In a whispered voice, one boy asked, “Do you really think she’s going to do it?”
“Sure… she’ll do it, but you have to get ready to run,” replied the girl standing next to him.
Mrs. Schmidt removed the roll of Mentos mints from her pocket and loaded them into a small tube that attached to the top of the soda bottle. The only thing that kept the Mentos from falling into the soda was a plastic pin tied to a piece of string.
“Are you ready?” Mrs. Schmidt asked.
“YES!” shouted the students who could hardly contain themselves.
“Three… Two… One… Go!”
It all happened in a fraction of a second. Mrs. Schmidt pulled the string, the Mentos fell into the soda and a giant soda geyser shot up everywhere. It was raining Diet Coke! As soon as the soda started to spray, the children scattered.
The students screamed, “That was awesome… do it again!”
… and the soda continues to fly. On August 22, 2010, Mexico City became the Guinness World Record holder for the largest number of simultaneously erupting Mentos and cola geysers on Saturday with 2,433 participants. The Mentos Geyser Tube Toy keeps the soda flying!
Mentos Geyser Tube
Launch a MENTOS® soda geyser 30 feet in the air with the Geyser Tube. The Geyser Tube™ is a loading tube for the now famous Diet Coke geyser powered by MENTOS®.
Mentos Geyser Tube Event Packs
If you have a Geyser Tube you know how addicting that wild eruption can be. Now we have the perfect way for you to share the soda spray with everyone you know!
