Carbonated Drink and

Menthol Chewy Dragees

Mixture as Alternative

Rocket Launcher

Table of Contents

Title Page ----------------------------------- 1

Abstract -------------------------------------- 4

Acknowledgements ----------------------- 5

CHAP. I Background of the Study ---- 6

CHAP. I Statement of the Problem ---- 7

CHAP. I Hypotheses

Significance of the Study ----------- 8

Scope & Limitations

CHAP. 2 Related Lit. ---------------------- 9

CHAP. 2 Related Stud. ------------------- 10

Table of Contents

CHAP. 3 Methodology

Materials / Equipment ------------------------12

CHAP 3. Treatment/ Gen. Procedures --------- 14

CHAP. 3 Pictures ------------------------------------ 16

CHAP. 4 Results & Discussion ------------------- 18

CHAP. 4 Findings ----------------------------------- 21

CHAP. 4 Analysis of Data ------------------------ 22

CHAP. 5 Conclusions

Recommendations ---------------------- 23

BIBLIOGRAPHY ------------------------------------ 24

Abstract

Nowadays, we experience global warming which is the sudden increase of the

normal temperature due to several harmful gases in the environment like smokes from

houses, cars, factories and many more. One of these are the gases emitted by rockets

during their take-off. In line with this, some of us grade 9 students, think of ways in which

rockets would not emit a single harmful gas which lead us to use carbonated drink,

specifically Mentos and a chewy Menthol dragees, specifically Mentos, as an alternative

rocket launcher.

Therefore, the researchers look for some procedures that will help them to achieve

their goal. First of all, they made a base similar to the base of a real rocket. Second, they

poked on Mentos on a paper clip, which is attached to a cork that would serve as the cover

of the bottle. Lastly, after securing the Coke bottle with the cork, they would immediately turn

the Coke bottle upside down, and then the explosion would begin.

After numerous trials and errors, the researchers finally achieved their goal which

is to prove that Coke and Mentos could be an alternative rocket launcher despite the

several problems that they have encountered; which made them conclude that a simple

Coke and Mentos could be an alternative rocket propeller or launcher.

Acknowledgements

Marlene Panganiban

Aliyah Aguilar

Cielo Almeda

Vernice Bongato

Samantha Escalante

Francheska Limpiado

Stef Melendres

9 – St. Maria Goretti

CHAPTER I

Introduction

Background of the study

Like the other inventions, rockets didn’t come out of the blue so the scholars who worked on it,

researched and craved on how to develop it. These flying fire lances were a simple form of solid-

propellant rocket. It is tube, capped with one end that contains gun powder. When the power is

already flared up, it produces fire, smoke & gas that escaped out the open end and produced a

thrust while, the stick guided the rocket to head in one general direction as it flew into the air.

During the 17th century, Sir Isaac Newton formulated the 3 scientific laws about physical motion.

These laws explain how rockets work, and why are they able to work in the vacuum of outer

space. Soon, rocket experimenters began working with rockets with a mass of more than 45

kilograms. Some of these rockets were so forceful that their escaping exhaust flames bored deep

holes in the ground even before lift-off.

A rocket is a missile, spacecraft, aircraft or other vehicle that obtains thrust from a rocket engine.

Rocket engine exhaust is formed entirely from gunpowder or propellants carried within the

rocket before use. Rocket engines work by action and reaction, and push rockets forward by

expelling their exhaust in the opposite direction at high speed. Rockets rely on momentum,

airfoils, auxiliary reaction engines, gimbaled thrust, momentum wheels, deflection of the exhaust

stream, propellant flow, spin, and/or gravity to help control flight.

The researchers decided to choose this study to work on because they want to discover and

produce earth-friendly fuel, because they want to help the society at the point this time, specially

our environment by using materials that won’t immensely damage it, specifically the ozone layer

because of the chemicals it ejects. That is why they also want to help the society at the point this

time, especially our environment by using materials that won’t immensely damage it, specifically

the ozone layer because of the chemicals a rocket ejects. That is why, they decided to work on a

carbonated drink with menthol candy mixture, as a substitute to a gas-fueled rocket launcher.

They want to create an alternative fuel for the future generations to come.

In addition to this, the Rocokettos team thought of “What if the day will come that all rockets are

gone, and its components are also completely not available?” and so, the investigators came up

with an idea of how they can use materials available at hand, like the carbonated drink and

menthol candy, that also contains some of the components similar to the components of the

rocket.

Lastly, they also believe that they have the ability to produce a unique, earth-friendly, and

affordable rocket launcher to extend the use of the carbonated drink and menthol candy.

Statement of the problem

The study seeks to answer the following problems:

1.) Can a Coke & Mentos be an alternative source of fuel for rocket?

2.) Can the researchers make a fuel out of Mentos and Coke only?

General Objectives:

1.) To prove that the Mentos & Coke can be an alternative source in making a rocket.

2.) To produce an affordable, unique rocket.

3.) To make an alternative for rocket using materials that are easy to find, safe & affordable.

4.) To make an alternative fuel.

Specific Objectives:

1.) To produce a rocket that is helpful and environmental friendly.

2.) To produce something that can help the students and the people around them.

3.) To extend the use of Coke and Mentos.

4.) To produce a rocket that is affordable and easy to make.

Hypotheses

In view of the preceding question, the following hypotheses are advanced:

1.) If the force is strong enough, then it can launch a rocket ship.

Significance of the study

The investigators strongly believe that the result of the study will be beneficial to the following

environment specifically, because instead of using gas, if this experiment succeeded, the future

generations can use the components of the carbonated drink with menthol candy for rocket

launching. The menthol candy has this content that contributes to the formation of the foam,

which is the gelatin and the gum Arabic, while the Coke have potassium benzoate, aspartame,

and carbon dioxide gas, so both of their contents contribute to the explosion.

Scope and Limitations

The researchers found out that the prod used in experimenting have something to contribute

in the future rocket. Even though they are still testing the experiments, they have come to

conclusion that this will work, and can be used as a sub for “Rocket gas.”

CHAPTER 2

Review of Related Literature

2.1 Review of Related Literature

You might think that there is some ingredient in a Mentos candy that is causing

a chemical reaction with the soda, like the way baking soda reacts with vinegar. But this is not a

chemical reaction at all! Instead it is a physical reaction. That means that all of the pieces of the

reaction are there, but that they are simply re-arranged. A carbonated beverage, like a soda pop,

is packed full of carbon dioxide gas that is dissolved into the soda solution. All of the bubbles in

a soda pop that make you burp come from the dissolved carbon dioxide gas, which

forms bonds with water. While the soda is in the bottle, the gas is kept in solution by the

pressurized conditions inside the bottle. When you pour some soda into a glass, the gas stays

trapped in the solution by the surface tension of the water. But those gas bubbles want to escape,

making it no wonder that soda makes you burp! To create bubbles, the carbon dioxide needs to

interact with itself, which means that its bonds with water in the soda must be broken. A Mentos

candy can help with this. Looking at a piece of Mentos candy, you may think it is very smooth. But

if you were to look under a microscope, you would see tiny bumps coating the entire surface of

the candy. This rough surface allows the bonds between the carbon dioxide gas and the water to

more easily break, helping create carbon dioxide bubbles that cause the classic Mentos and Diet

Coke eruption. This means that each tiny bump acts like a place where the physical reaction can

get a kick start, where a bubble of carbon dioxide gas can form and escape the solution. As the

Mentos candy sinks in the bottle of soda, the candy causes the production of more and more

carbon dioxide bubbles. The rising bubbles react with carbon dioxide that is still dissolved in the

soda to cause more carbon dioxide to be freed and create even more bubbles. With all of the tiny

bumps on a Mentos, it is easy to see how you have yourself a geyser! One factor that may affect

the size of the Mentos and Diet Coke eruption is how quickly the Mentos candies sink in the soda.

Because a Mentos candy is relatively dense, meaning that its particles are very tightly compacted

together, it sinks relatively quickly in the soda. If a Mentos candy were crushed and broken into

little pieces, the candy would be less compact, and consequently less dense, because there is

now more space and air between the little pieces. The crushed Mentos candy should sink slower

than a whole Mentos candy. In this materials science project, you will see if using crushed

Mentos candies instead of whole Mentos candies, which should sink faster in the soda, will

change the height of the eruption. (Mujir, H., 2008 & Senese, F., 2010)

2.2 Related Studies

Mentos have a strange chalky color and texture and they do taste rather like antacid

tablets. If the chalkiness comes from carbonates, the fizzing might be explained as a

neutralization reaction that produces CO2. But the ingredients don't include carbonates- or any

other significantly alkaline material. All variations of Mentos contain sugar, glucose syrup,

hydrogenated coconut oil, gelatin, dextrin, "natural flavor", corn starch, and gum Arabic. (Senese,

F.,1999)

They're basically just a big pellet of flavored sugar with gummy stuff added to give them

structural integrity and to keep them from sticking together in the package. So why do Mentos make

diet soda foam so violently? It's a physical reaction, not a chemical one. (Senese, F., 1999)

In addition to that, the gum Arabic / gelatin ingredients of the Mentos, combined with the

potassium benzoate, sugar or (potentially) aspartame, in Diet sodas, also help in this process. In

these cases, the ingredients end up lowering the surface tension of the liquid, allowing for even more

rapid bubble growth on the porous surface of the Mentos- higher surface tension = more difficult

environment for bubbles to form. (For your reference, compounds like gum Arabic that lower surface

tension are called “surfactants”). As to why diet sodas like Diet Coke produce such a bigger reaction,

it’s because aspartame lowers the surface tension of the liquid much more than sugar or corn syrup

will. You can also increase the effect by adding more surfactants to the soda when you add the

Mentos, like adding a mixture of dishwasher soap and water. Another factor contributing to the size of

the geyser is how rapidly the object causing the foaming sinks in the

soda. The faster it sinks, the faster the reaction can happen, and faster reaction = bigger geyser;

slower reaction may release the same amount of foam overall, but also a much smaller

geyser. This is another reason Mentos works so much better than other similar

confectioneries. Mentos are fairly dense objects and so tend to sink rapidly in the soda. If you

crush the Mentos, so it doesn’t sink much at all, you won’t get nearly the dramatic reaction. Yet

another factor that can affect the size of the Mentos / Coke geyser is the temperature of the soda

itself. The higher the temperature, the bigger the geyser due to gases being less soluble in

liquids with a higher temperature. So, basically, they are more “ready” to escape the liquid, so

when you drop the Mentos in, the reaction happens faster. (Dr. Coffey, T., 2008)

CHAPTER 3

Materials and Methods

3.1 Methodology

As the researchers conducted their activity, first of all, they gathered and prepared all the

materials needed (1.5L of Coke, Mentos, Sticks, Cork, Tape, Meter Stick) but because of some

problems encountered by the researchers, the found a new way to conduct their experiment in which

the coke bottle would have a base that will support it. (Refer succeeding Chapter 4)

3.2 Materials / Equipment

One of the most important thing to remember in doing an investigatory project is

the detailed materials list needed to perform the experiment.

The main materials that were used in this study are one liter (1) of carbonated drink

(Coke) and one (1) pack of menthol chewy dragees (Mentos). The other materials used in this

study are cork (optional), wooden sticks, pieces of meter stick and duct tape.

The carbonated drink, specifically a cold diet Coke, is one of the important materials used in the

study because its chemicals would react more, than the other possible materials that can be

also use, which will cause explosions like those of the rockets which is the main goal of the

researchers; and the colder the carbonated drink, the bigger the geyser.

Another important material used in the study is a one pack of menthol chewy dragees,

specifically Mentos, which will help in making the carbonated drink’s substance to explode due to

the chemicals it contains.

While the other materials used in the study are cork (optional), wooden sticks (chopsticks),

2pieces of meter stick, and duct tape.

Cork (optional) is used to cover the opening of the mouth of the carbonated drink so that

it won’t spill before putting the menthol chewy dragees inside the bottle.

Wooden sticks are used to hold the bottle in place, for it will help it to stand easily and as its guide

or base.

2 pieces of meter stick is used to measure how tall the explosion can reach. (The

researchers used 2 pieces to be sure, because who knows how high can it reach?)

And finally, duct tape which will be used to hold the wooden sticks in place.

3.1 A. 1 pack of chewy menthol 3.1 B. Duct Tapedragees (Mentos)

3.1 C. 1 liter of carbonated drink (Coke)

3.1 D. Stick

3.1 E. Cork

3.1 F. Meter stick

3.3 Treatment / General Procedures

The procedures in this project is actually simple, but quite difficult to do.

3.2.1 Gathering of Materials

In the gathering of materials in this study, it is somehow easy to look for the materials needed

since most of them are found on a convenience store or any supermarket. But of course, it takes time

& effort to buy the materials since the researchers needed some from the supermarket (for Coke and

Mentos), hardware (for duct tape & stick), and bookstore (for meter sticks).

3.2.2 Preparing the Materials

Now that the researchers already have the materials, it’s quite exciting to do the

experiment already because of curiosity and so much questions. However, to achieve their goal,

the researchers kept everything in order and gathered the materials first before doing the

experiment.

3.2.3 Creating the Base

In creating the support for the rocket, the researchers the needed some pieces of

wooden sticks and the duct tape. A duct tape was used to hold the wooden sticks in place, while

the pieces of wooden sticks were used to support the carbonated drink.

(The researchers made sure that the duct tape will occupy the whole circumference of

the bottle, equidistant with the wooden sticks as possible, to have a steady launch platform.)

3.2.4 Preparing for Launch

After creating the rocket’s foundation, the researchers started preparing for launch. They

placed the meter sticks as like that of a backbone, to support the Coke to stand as it launch, and

prepare the Mentos.

To have a higher geyser, the researchers made sure that the Coke is at high temperature.

CHAPTER 4

Results and Discussion

4.1 Results and Discussion

The researchers actually underwent many trials and errors, specifically 4 trials before

achieving their goal, which is to find out if a carbonated drink and a chewy Menthol dragees

could actually be an alternative rocket launcher.

The first trial was on the fields of the UP Sunken Garden using the methods stated on the

last chapter. However, when the researchers tried the step-by-step procedure on the last chapter,

they failed to achieve their goal, due to some several problems like the lack of cork, which is

essential to the experimentation, since it would prevent the Mentos from falling; the unstable

stand that would help the Coke bottle to stand firmly; and lastly, the surface in which the

researchers did their experimentation.

On the second trial, the researchers did their activity on the grounds of Holy Family School

during their break time. In this time, they tried on using another method which was this:

Unfortunately, it erupted but the bottle fell and launched sideways which was another problem

faced by the researchers.

On the third trial, the researchers used again the method they have used on the 2nd trial,

since they thought that sticks are not enough to support a 1.5L of Coke. Their experimentation took

place again on the grounds of Holy Family School, specifically on the quadrangle. But then again, the

coke fell and launched sideways just like what happened on their 2nd trial.

Last but not the least, on their fourth trial, the researchers done it again on the grounds of

Holy Family School using the method they used on their 2nd and 3rd trial but added some pieces

of rocks to the stand of the bottle Coke to make it heavier and stand firmly. After several trials and

errors, it finally launched upward. But due to its high pressure when it hits something, the

researchers prevented it from reaching a very high place.

Also, the researchers took a qualitative and quantitative manner of testing

to measure its effectiveness.

4.1.1 Physical Qualities

4.1.1.1 Durability

This is the measure if the rocket doesn’t easily breaks into pieces while launching.

The researchers used 3 if the base of the rocket was strong enough to hold the Coke, 2 if the

rocket base was not that strong enough, and 1 if it is not strong at all.

4.1.1.1.1 Durability test through application of rocket bases

First trial Second trial Third trial Fourth trial

Score 2 2 2 3

The given data above shows series of trials and errors, showing that the only 4th

trial is the one and only trial that succeeded. For the 1st up to the 3rd trial, the researchers

failed to achieve their goal due to the base that lacks durability, which the main goal is to

support the coke bottle in preparation for its launch, that's why it would always fall and make the

launching sideways.

4.1.1.2 Reactivity

This measure how quick the Mentos reacted together with the Coke. The

researchers did the marking system 5 if 1-2 seconds, 4 if 3 seconds, 3 if 4 seconds, 2 if 5-

6 seconds, and 1 if 6-7 seconds

4.1.1.2.1 Reactivity test

First trial Second trial Third trial Fourth trial

Score 5 5 5 5

Based on the results, the researchers concluded that the quickness of

reaction between the Coke and the Mentos was similar to an actual rocket.

4.1.1.3 Affectivity

This is the measure whether the rocket launched the way it needed to prove that

Coke and Mentos could be really an alternative rocket propeller. The researchers used this as

their marking system, 3 if the rocket launched the way it should be, 2 if it launch but has some

complications, 1 if it failed.

4.1.1.3.1 Affectivity Test

First trial Second trial Third trial Fourth trial

Score 1 1 1 2

The researchers scored only one on 1st up to 3rd trial because all rockets launched

sideways instead of launching upward. At least, the 4th trial launched upward even though its

height is not high enough for a rocket.

4.1.1.4 Lasting Effect

This data will show how long the rocket stayed in the air; 5 for 5-6 seconds, 4 for

4-5 seconds, 3 for 3 seconds, 2 for 2 seconds and 1 for 0-1 second.

First trial Second trial Third trial Fourth trial

Score 1 1 1 3

Based on the researchers, they scored the 1st trial to 3rd trial as 1 because when the

rocket launched, it did not launcher through the air, but instead it fell and launched sideways

instead. While in the 4th trial, it launched up in the air but it does not stayed long enough.

4.2 Findings

The researchers had concluded that you need a heavier base for the rocket to launch the

way it needed to.

They also found out that in rocket launching you have to have the right timing because if not

the rocket will either launch very early or it will go on the wrong places.

They also discovered that they have to consider their surroundings and as well as the

ground where they are conducting the experiment.

It is also advisable to use diet coke or the light one if diet coke isn’t available in your

country because diet coke has a higher acid content than the ordinary coke.

4.3 Analysis of Data

The durability of the said rocket is very unstable, based on the table that shows how strong

the base is, since it was given a two. The researchers can conclude that the base that was used in the

first trial until the third trial was not that capable to support the said “rocket model”.

But on their fourth trial, it was given a three. It can be assumed that the base that was used in

their fourth trial was tenacious enough to support the rocket.

The researchers also observed that the reaction time that it takes for the menthol chewy draggers

to react was very fast. Once the bottle is flipped it reacts immediately to the carbonated drink.

Then it shoots out fast. This is befitting to the researchers experiment since reaction time is one

of the main factors for the experiment to succeed.

The affectivity of the experiment did not work the way it should be. Based on the table from the

first trial until the third one the rocket had some complications that resulted the experiment to fail.

The researchers have had a hard time to launch the rocket, although they did it in the fourth trial,

it still had some complications when they tested it or performed it.

And lastly the lasting effect of the experiment. Again from the first trial to the third trial the rocket

only lasted on the air approximately from 0-1 second. The rocket model kept falling sideways that

prevented it to launch upward. While on their fourth trial it lasted for 3 seconds in the air because

the base that was used in this trial was different than the other trials that helped the rocket to

launch for at least 3 seconds

CHAPTER 5

Conclusions and Recommendations

5.1 Conclusions

After several trials and errors, the researchers finally come up with their conclusion.

Yes, it is possible to use a carbonated drink and a chewy Menthol draggers as an alternative

rocket launcher because due to the different components of the Coke and Mentos, it made an

reaction similar to those actual rockets, which is the main goal of this investigatory project.

5.2 Recommendations

The researchers tried different procedures to come up with the appropriate one at the

end. Somehow their work was acceptable in terms of launching the product. Luckily, there are

related studies and related researches as a source. The researchers recommended to research

more about Coke and Mentos and how did they come up with an explosion. The researchers fully

recommend using Diet Coke it’s because aspartame lowers the surface tension of the liquid much

more than sugar. They also recommend using Fruit Mentos not Mint Mentos because Fruit

Mentos has a thicker candy coating but same roughness, so they’re better for bigger

explosion than the other one mentioned. Also, remember that the higher the temperature, the

bigger the explosion because based on their previous researches about the same article,

gases are less soluble in liquids with a higher temperature which means that gases would

really find their way out, that will result to higher and bigger explosion.

Appendix

Bibliography

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http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn14114-science-of-mentosdiet-coke-explosions- explained.html ;

Sense, F. (2010). Why do Mentos mints foam when you drop them into soda pop Retrieved 2012,

from http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/consumer/faq/mentos.html ; EepyBird.com. (nod).

The Science of Coke and Mentos. Retrieved 2012, from http://www.eepybird.com/featured-

video/science-of-coke-mentos/ ; Dr. Coffey, T. (2008) Why Do Coke and Mentos React. Retrieved

2013, from http://mentalfloss.com/article/48759/why-do-diet-

coke-and-mentos-react ; Dr. Coffey, T. (2008)

physical reaction? Retrieved 2008, from

http://www.appstate.edu/~coffeyts/DietCokeandMentos.pdf

Diet Coke and Mentos: What is really behind this