Lab
We were trying to figure what combination of soda and Mentos would make
bigger fountain. Our controlled experiment was using diet Dr. Thunder and 1 fruity mentos. That made a fountain about 6 inches to a foot high, which of course to us scientist was very unsatisfying. Then, each group came up with another idea to make it a lot bigger.
First, we tried adding 3 fruity mentos instead of just one and we figure it would make a higher fountain and our hypothesis was completely incorrect. The fountain was almost the same size maybe even a little smaller. So were still on edge on how to make it higher.
We then came up with this amazing idea to try using a different soda. We tried Pineapple soda with 3 fruity mentos still. Well, that didn’t work at all the fountain was really tiny maybe 3 inches. This was not what we were going for.
Another group then came up with the idea that maybe if we try another soda it would change the responding Variable. We decided to use Diet Twist Up. We changed that manipulated variable and we were correct! Then fountain went 3 times as high as the controlled experiment. It was 3 feet high. We were getting excited then. Then, the last group came up with possibly using 5 fruity mentos instead of 3. We didn’t realize we used non diet soda and the only 3 fruity mentos dropped in. So the manipulated variable actually ended up being the non diet soda, which didn’t work because the non-diet soda didn’t work. But, we did learn that that diet soda worked better then normal soda. Everyone then put there thinking caps on because we were determined to make the highest fountain.
The next day we got started and tried the first experiment. We figured if we took the fruity mentos and taped it to the lid and closed the cap and made sure the fruity mentos dropped in. The responding variable was not very satisfying it really didn’t work, but we discovered that putting the lid on built up the pressure and it might help out in a further experiment. Well, still thinking we decided to try to change the fruity mentos to mint mentos, and the responding variable to that manipulated variable was it made a lot bigger fountain. It went almost 5 feet, which meant we were on track to finding the answer to our problem. The next group then thought maybe if we used 6 mint mentos that maybe the fountain would be even taller. Well, the responding variable was quiet satisfying. The fountain went to at least 10 feet high! Which we thought it was ok. But, we of course with being scientist and new it could go a lot higher. So went back to the drawing board and started to really ponder our options.
A group then came up with the thought of trying Root beer and hoping that the manipulated variable would change. But, no such luck the fountain only went 5 feet high, we then new that the only soda to do this correctly was the Diet Twist Up.
The Last day we finally decided to put all our heads together and come up with one experiment. We decided to screw a hole in the top of the lid and let the pressure build up more, kind of like a hose. Well, that theory was correct and our responding variable was very exceptional. The fountain went a little but above 15 feet high and it lasted a while too.
At the end of this amazing journey of how to make a mentos and soda pop make a big fountain. We connected and found out the true meaning of team work because if it wasn’t for our groups we wouldn’t have figure out that 6 mint mentos, 1 liter of Diet twist up, and a hole in the cap would make and amazingly big fountain that we are going to remember for years to come.
