Lori Lancaster | September 6, 2006
[hidden by request]

Amy Austin | September 6, 2006
It's the gum arabic (acacia).

Amy Austin | September 6, 2006
From Wiki entry on gum arabic: Gum arabic reduces the surface tension of liquids, which leads to increased fizzing in carbonated beverages. This is known as a Mentos eruption and can be seen in The Diet Coke & Mentos Experiments diet coke and mentos video here as well...

I had seen this "experiment" before -- but I just so happened on the above explanation in an unrelated search not too long ago... (well, I was actually looking into gum arabic for other reasons (no, not witchcraft)... and not knowing about these particular properties, I found it interesting).

Scott Hardie | September 8, 2006
Do not watch that video three hours after drinking a 40oz bottle of soda.

I wonder if Mentos will be banned from planes now.


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