Experiments With Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola is the most popular soft drink of all time. As a result, it's been the subject of many myths and rumors and has also inspired some unique tricks. Whether you're looking for a bit of fun or to gain some knowledge, there are lots of experiments for various ages that can be done using Coca-Cola.

Cleaning Properties

Many myths and rumors have circulated regarding the cleaning properties of Coca-Cola. It has been said to be able to remove grime from old pennies, rust from household tools and bolts, grease from clothing and residue from pots and pans. To test the validity of these claims, conduct a few experiments of your own. Soak old pennies in Coca-Cola with one in water as a control. Submerge rusty tools in Coca-Cola or wipe rusty bolts with Coke-covered paper towels. Add some to an especially oily load of laundry, or boil some in your grimy pots and pans.

Diet Coke and Mentos

This simple but messy experiment requires only a 2-liter bottle of Diet Coke and a pack of mint-flavored Mentos candy, which you add all at once to the bottle of soda. The reaction between the surface of the candy and the carbonation in the soda, called "nucleation," causes an upwards explosion of soda out of the bottle. To expand on this experiment, research nucleation and why it is a physical rather than a chemical reaction. Investigate why the results differ with the non-mint flavors of Mentos or with regular Coca-Cola. As a variation on this experiment, create a volcano under which to place the soda bottle for an exciting visual presentation.

Dissolving a Nail

You may have heard the myth that Coca-Cola can dissolve a nail due to its acidity. Test the accuracy of this rumor using assorted uncoated nails made of different metals, such as aluminum, iron, steel and zinc alloy, placed in separate, equal amounts of Coca-Cola. Observe and record the effects over the course of a week. Alternately, compare the effect of Coca-Cola on a nail of just one type of metal to the same type of nail submerged in water.

Effects on Teeth

Ask your dentist for some extracted teeth to test these effects directly, or use white-shelled hard-boiled eggs to simulate the enamel of human teeth. Soak a tooth or an egg in Coke overnight to see how much, if any, discoloration occurs. Observe the effect that toothpaste has on the stains. Compare your result to a tooth or egg soaked in only water. Experiment with the length of time or types of soda; see how long it takes until the tooth or eggshell begins to wear down, or compare your original result to light-colored or diet sodas.