DESCRIPTION:
Diet soda contains artificial sweeteners while regular soda has sugar in it. Artificial sweeteners are so sweet so only a small amount is needed, where as much more sugar is needed to achieve the same sweetness. Because regular soda has more mass in the same size can, it is more dense than the diet soda.
TOPICS COVERED:
– density
– physical change
MATERIALS NEEDED:
– large beaker with water in it
– can of diet soda
– can of regular soda
PROCEDURE:
1. Place both soda cans in the water
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
At first the regular soda may act like it’s going to float, but if both cans are pushed under water, only the diet will float to the surface.
SAFETY:
Safety goggles should be worn at all times.
REFERENCES:
“Sinking Soda Surprise.” Steve Spangler Science. Web. 14 Jul 2010. http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/sinking-soda
This problem set practices density calculations, calculating mass from moles and molar mass, and percentages.