Why does mentos and Diet Coke react more than baking soda vinegar?

When Mentos candies are dropped into a bottle of Diet Coke, a violent eruption occurs. This is due to the fact that the Mentos candies act as nucleation sites for the dissolved carbon dioxide gas in the soda. The rough surface of the Mentos candies provides a place for the gas bubbles to form, and as more and more bubbles form, they rise to the surface and create the eruption.

The eruption is also fueled by the fact that Diet Coke contains a higher concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide gas than regular Coke. This is because the artificial sweeteners used in Diet Coke do not dissolve as easily as sugar, so there is more room for the gas to dissolve.

Baking soda and vinegar

When baking soda and vinegar are mixed, they also react to produce carbon dioxide gas. However, the reaction is much less violent than the reaction between Mentos and Diet Coke. This is because the baking soda and vinegar are not as good at nucleating the dissolved gas. The smooth surface of the baking soda particles does not provide as many nucleation sites for the gas bubbles to form.

In addition, the concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide gas in vinegar is lower than the concentration in Diet Coke. This means that there is less gas available to react and produce the eruption.

Comparison

The table below compares the reactions between Mentos and Diet Coke and baking soda and vinegar.

| Feature | Mentos and Diet Coke | Baking soda and vinegar |

|---|---|---|

| Nucleation sites | Rough surface of Mentos candies | Smooth surface of baking soda particles |

| Concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide gas | Higher | Lower |

| Violence of reaction | More violent | Less violent |

Overall, the reaction between Mentos and Diet Coke is more violent than the reaction between baking soda and vinegar because the Mentos candies act as better nucleation sites for the dissolved carbon dioxide gas and the Diet Coke contains a higher concentration of dissolved gas.