Cola rocket goes Mento (2L soda + mints = instant mess; OF COURSE there's a video)

The Sun (U.K.) ^ | June 18, 2006 | PETE BELL

[Stoat]

Cola rocket goes Mento

Fizzy fountain ... the conventional method
 

 

By PETE BELL

Sun Online

THE latest internet craze to sweep the nation involves a packet of mints, a two-litre bottle of diet cola and a lot of stupidity.

Drop the sweets into the drink and you can create an instant 20ft fizzy fountain.

 

Scientists are divided on the cause of the phenomenon. Some say it is a reaction between the surface of the mints (we found American brand Mentos worked the best) and the carbon dioxide in the drink.

Others say an ingredient in the cola is agitated by something in the sweets.

But we think it's magic.

• WARNING - our trial took place under strictly controlled conditions and we would advise that you do not try this out for yourself.

  However, if you do want to create your own, please be careful - find an open space away from people and cars. And kids, don't even think of doing this without adult supervision.

   

[Stoat]

thinking that somehow we can modify this to drop into a spud gun to launch like a mortar round

An excellent plan!  A spirited discussion on potatoes as projectiles, spud guns, potatoes as silencers and related topics can be found here:

Man In Florida Accused Of Trying To Use Potato As Silencer