Read this before proceeding-
Disclaimer: I have not tried this myself and don't personally know anyone who has. Build this at your own risk.
Warning: Homemade explosives and explosive devices are illegal in the United States unless you have a federal license.
Post: This post is in response to some who have over the course of this blog asked me to explain how home made explosive devices work. This was emailed to me sometime back, and the how to instruction source and pictures are unknown. I do not keep emails.
Homemade Coke Bombs
Version or Type # 1:
Background:
The Science Behind the Mentos and Diet Coke (coke cola) Explosions-
The startling reaction between Diet Coke & Mentos, made famous in many YouTube videos, finally has a scientific explanation.
Diet Coke and Mentos Eruption (also known as a Mentos eruption or a coke geyser) is a reaction of Diet Coke and Mint Mentos candies. The eruption is caused by opening a two-liter bottle of Diet Coke (other carbonated beverages may be used instead; Diet Coke is preferred because it tends to react better) and dropping some Mentos into the bottle, usually around four. This causes the Diet Coke to foam at a rapid rate and spew into the air.
Mint-flavored Mentos are used, as fruit-flavored Mentos have a smooth coating which slows the reaction. Because of the nature of this physical reaction and the easy availability of the ingredients, the eruption is a popular subject for Internet videos, and has also appeared in non-Internet sources.
A variation of this experiment consists of making the bottle rocket up by closing the cap shortly after Mentos is inserted and then slamming the bottle into the ground cap first. The explosion will generate a reaction like a rocket.
Steve Spangler initiated the Internet phenomenon when he appeared on the News in 2002 and 2005, both times showcasing the experiment.
This was confirmed by MythBusters TV Show who later set the record highest soda jet recorded, at over 29 feet (9 meters), using a nozzle.
Explanation -
In a 2006 episode of MythBusters, a popular television program on the Discovery Channel, they concluded that the caffeine, potassium benzoate, aspartame, and CO2 gas contained in the Diet Coke and the gelatin and gum arabic ingredients of the Mentos all contribute to the jet effect. In addition, the MythBusters theorized that the physical structure of the Mentos is the most significant cause of the eruption due to nucleation. When flavored Mentos with a smooth waxy coating were tested in carbonated water, no reaction occurred, whereas standard Mentos added to carbonated water formed a small eruption, by their claim, affirming the nucleation-site theory. According to the MythBusters, the surface of the mint Mentos is littered with many small holes, allowing CO2 bubbles to form very rapidly and in great quantity, in turn causing the jet of foam. This was further supported when rock salt was used as an effective substitute for Mentos.
A paper by Tonya Coffey, a physicist at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina goes into detail on the reasons and physics behind the reaction.
General Info -
As noted, the eruption has become an Internet phenomenon. One reason for the popularity of this demonstration is its comparative safety. Because the interaction releases only the carbon dioxide already present in the liquid the cola bottle should not usually rupture if capped -- although it is possible to break the bottle with physical force. This differs from similar demonstrations with dry ice which have the potential to generate much larger pressures depending on the amount used. The MythBusters also noted when testing the experiment that, unlike other materials such as dry ice which are expensive and rare, Diet Coke and Mentos can be acquired at almost any local convenience store. Many high school or middle school science labs experiments are based on this phenomenon, as it can promote a better understanding of chemical or physical reactions between elements.
Using this device as a 'Homemade Bomb' -
As noted if you place the cap on tightly, shake, and throw onto a surface that will cause it to break and you have a small explosion.
What makes this potentially dangerous is that the plastic bottle and cap flying apart can hurt someone. The coke splashing in some ones eyes can also cause injury.
But as a bomb device by adding small nails or screws you have a potentially deadly inexpensive Soda Bomb.
Warning: Once you put the cap on tightly, shake it, get rid of it ASAP without delay, because it will explode from the pressure!
So here is one of the YouTube Videos:
Mythbusters Diet Coke and Mentos Experiment
Version or Type # 1:
Background:
The Science Behind the Mentos and Diet Coke (coke cola) Explosions-
The startling reaction between Diet Coke & Mentos, made famous in many YouTube videos, finally has a scientific explanation.
Diet Coke and Mentos Eruption (also known as a Mentos eruption or a coke geyser) is a reaction of Diet Coke and Mint Mentos candies. The eruption is caused by opening a two-liter bottle of Diet Coke (other carbonated beverages may be used instead; Diet Coke is preferred because it tends to react better) and dropping some Mentos into the bottle, usually around four. This causes the Diet Coke to foam at a rapid rate and spew into the air.
Mint-flavored Mentos are used, as fruit-flavored Mentos have a smooth coating which slows the reaction. Because of the nature of this physical reaction and the easy availability of the ingredients, the eruption is a popular subject for Internet videos, and has also appeared in non-Internet sources.
A variation of this experiment consists of making the bottle rocket up by closing the cap shortly after Mentos is inserted and then slamming the bottle into the ground cap first. The explosion will generate a reaction like a rocket.
Steve Spangler initiated the Internet phenomenon when he appeared on the News in 2002 and 2005, both times showcasing the experiment.
This was confirmed by MythBusters TV Show who later set the record highest soda jet recorded, at over 29 feet (9 meters), using a nozzle.
Explanation -
In a 2006 episode of MythBusters, a popular television program on the Discovery Channel, they concluded that the caffeine, potassium benzoate, aspartame, and CO2 gas contained in the Diet Coke and the gelatin and gum arabic ingredients of the Mentos all contribute to the jet effect. In addition, the MythBusters theorized that the physical structure of the Mentos is the most significant cause of the eruption due to nucleation. When flavored Mentos with a smooth waxy coating were tested in carbonated water, no reaction occurred, whereas standard Mentos added to carbonated water formed a small eruption, by their claim, affirming the nucleation-site theory. According to the MythBusters, the surface of the mint Mentos is littered with many small holes, allowing CO2 bubbles to form very rapidly and in great quantity, in turn causing the jet of foam. This was further supported when rock salt was used as an effective substitute for Mentos.
A paper by Tonya Coffey, a physicist at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina goes into detail on the reasons and physics behind the reaction.
General Info -
As noted, the eruption has become an Internet phenomenon. One reason for the popularity of this demonstration is its comparative safety. Because the interaction releases only the carbon dioxide already present in the liquid the cola bottle should not usually rupture if capped -- although it is possible to break the bottle with physical force. This differs from similar demonstrations with dry ice which have the potential to generate much larger pressures depending on the amount used. The MythBusters also noted when testing the experiment that, unlike other materials such as dry ice which are expensive and rare, Diet Coke and Mentos can be acquired at almost any local convenience store. Many high school or middle school science labs experiments are based on this phenomenon, as it can promote a better understanding of chemical or physical reactions between elements.
Using this device as a 'Homemade Bomb' -
As noted if you place the cap on tightly, shake, and throw onto a surface that will cause it to break and you have a small explosion.
What makes this potentially dangerous is that the plastic bottle and cap flying apart can hurt someone. The coke splashing in some ones eyes can also cause injury.
But as a bomb device by adding small nails or screws you have a potentially deadly inexpensive Soda Bomb.
Warning: Once you put the cap on tightly, shake it, get rid of it ASAP without delay, because it will explode from the pressure!
So here is one of the YouTube Videos:
Mythbusters Diet Coke and Mentos Experiment
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