A Russian YouTuber named Maxim Monakhov, also known as Mamix, has taken the viral trend of exploding Coke to the extreme by using 10,000 liters and a lot of baking soda. Alongside his friends, he documented the experiment, which is believed to have cost nearly $9,000.
The video showed a massive explosion coming from the vat filled with Coke mixed with baking soda. They posted the video on Friday and has garnered almost seven million views.
Biggest Coca-Cola Eruption Ever!
Mamix and his friends conducted their experiment in an open field where no one would likely complain about what they are about to attempt.
In his video, the YouTuber said that he would be spending more than $9,000 on the experiment. He used thousands of liters of Coke poured in a custom-built vat that was pressurized and apparently, built pretty well.
Mamix used baking soda instead of the commonly used ingredient, Mentos, to make the beverage explode. Upon releasing the baking soda into the Coke, it rapidly triggered vast amounts of carbon dioxide, which is a similar reaction as to when Mentos are used.
According to Mamix, he decided to use baking soda because it is a lot cheaper and substantially more effective than Mentos. He and his team have successfully taken the famous science experiment of the volcano and baking soda to all new heights. Literally.
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What causes the reaction between baking soda and Coke?
In the famous science experiment of the volcano using vinegar and baking soda, the element of the reaction is the acidic vinegar, while its base is the baking soda.
An intermediate compound, called hydrogen carbonate, is created when hydrogen from the acidic liquid is mixed with the carbonate from the baking soda. The reaction instantly breaks down into carbon dioxide and water, therefore prompting the eruption.
Although different chemical reactions happen in the Mentos and Coke experiment, the two still have the same end result.
In the Mentos and Coke experiment, they produce a physical reaction that triggers the carbon dioxide present in the sweet beverage. Typically, a bottle of Coke includes a mixture of carbon dioxide trapped in it as a solution held in place by the bonds in the water.
Foam is formed when the bottle is opened, a sign that the carbon dioxide bonds are broken and released, transitioning from being in the solution into becoming a pure gas.
A single 2-liter bottle of Coke contains 12 grams of carbon dioxide in solution. In its gaseous form, this carbon dioxide can occupy a space of six liters, although this does not usually happen. It takes bubble nucleation, a process to transform the trapped carbon dioxide from a simple solution into a violent gas.
Mentos candies kick-started this chemical reaction because the sweet treat has a rough surface that provides very tiny cavities measuring up to seven micrometers that are too small to became damp due to the surface tension of the water.
These cavities create locations for the gas to attach itself, allowing carbon dioxide to break its bonds with the water and interact with itself, which then triggers the potential of the drink to erupt into a very entertaining and sometimes powerful fountain.
Read more: Five Easy, Fun Science experiments to do With Kids at Home
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