Soda Pop Eruption! Exploring Solids and Liquids

Science Grades 1st Grade 2:09 Video
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Lesson Description

A fun, hands-on experiment exploring the difference between solids and liquids using the classic Diet Coke and Mentos reaction.

Video Resource

First Grade Science Fun - Liquids and Solids

Mike Ford

Duration: 2:09
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Solids
  • Liquids
  • Chemical Reaction
  • Observation

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify solids and liquids.
  • Students will be able to observe and describe a simple chemical reaction.
  • Students will be able to make predictions about what will happen when a solid is added to a liquid.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they know about solids and liquids. Show examples of each (e.g., a rock, water). Ask them to describe the differences. Introduce the Diet Coke and Mentos experiment as a fun way to see what happens when a solid and a liquid are mixed.
  • Watch the Video (5 mins)
    Play the YouTube video: 'First Grade Science Fun - Liquids and Solids'. Ask students to pay close attention to what happens when the Mentos (solid) are dropped into the Diet Coke (liquid).
  • Discussion (5 mins)
    After watching the video, facilitate a discussion about what the students observed. Ask questions like: 'What happened when the Mentos were dropped into the Diet Coke?' 'Was the Diet Coke a solid or a liquid?' 'Were the Mentos a solid or a liquid?' 'What caused the eruption?'
  • Experiment (15 mins - Optional)
    If possible, replicate the experiment (with appropriate safety precautions and adult supervision). Gather Diet Coke (or any other carbonated soda) and Mentos. Have students predict what will happen. Conduct the experiment and observe the results. Make sure students are a safe distance away when the soda erupts.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the concepts of solids and liquids. Reinforce that when some solids and liquids mix, they can cause a reaction. Ask the students to think about other examples of solids and liquids in their everyday lives.

Interactive Exercises

  • Solid or Liquid Sort
    Provide students with pictures or real-life objects and have them sort them into two categories: Solids and Liquids.

Discussion Questions

  • What is a solid?
  • What is a liquid?
  • What happened when the Mentos went into the Diet Coke?
  • Why do you think the soda erupted?

Skills Developed

  • Observation
  • Prediction
  • Critical Thinking
  • Classification

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Is water a solid or a liquid?

Correct Answer: Liquid

Question 2:

Is a rock a solid or a liquid?

Correct Answer: Solid

Question 3:

In the video, what happened when the Mentos went into the Diet Coke?

Correct Answer: It exploded

Question 4:

Are Mentos a solid or a liquid?

Correct Answer: Solid

Question 5:

What did we learn about mixing some solids and liquids?

Correct Answer: They can cause a reaction.

Question 6:

Which of these is a liquid?

Correct Answer: Juice

Question 7:

Which of these is a solid?

Correct Answer: Ice

Question 8:

Before the Mentos went in, was the Diet Coke a solid or a liquid?

Correct Answer: Liquid

Question 9:

What do we call it when the Mentos and Diet Coke make a big mess?

Correct Answer: A reaction

Question 10:

In the video, what kind of Coke did they use?

Correct Answer: Diet Coke

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

Water is a _______.

Correct Answer: liquid

Question 2:

A rock is a ______.

Correct Answer: solid

Question 3:

The Mentos were a ____.

Correct Answer: solid

Question 4:

The Diet Coke was a ______.

Correct Answer: liquid

Question 5:

When the Mentos and Diet Coke mixed, it caused a _______.

Correct Answer: reaction

Question 6:

Orange juice is a _______.

Correct Answer: liquid

Question 7:

A book is a _______.

Correct Answer: solid

Question 8:

We can ________ to see what will happen when we mix things.

Correct Answer: observe

Question 9:

An ice cube is a _______.

Correct Answer: solid

Question 10:

Milk is a _______.

Correct Answer: liquid

Educational Standards

1.PS4.1:[Standard] Plan and conduct investigations to provide evidence that vibrating materials can make sound and that sound can make materials vibrate.

Teaching Materials

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