science fair project mint

Menthol Cooling EffectQuestion

Does menthol have an effect on temperature?

Variables

Independent - Mentos (containing menthol)

Dependent - Temperature

Constant - Room temperature

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that menthol has no effect on temperature. We predicted that when we put Mentos pill in the water, the temperature will remain the same.

Background research

Many products nowadays contain menthol. Such as gum, candy, sweetener and gargle. Because people enjoy the light taste, fresh taste of mint.

Menthol is a compound classically obtained from various mint plants, though now is often synthetically produced due to the extreme high demand for menthol in a variety of products. Menthol is a waxy, crystalline substance that is somewhat clear or white. Interestingly, it is actually solid at room temperature and melts just a few degrees above room temperature.

Mint is a natural decongestant that helps to break up phlegm and mucus. Mint can be also effective, especially when combined with tea for relieving sore throats. Mint is a calming and soothing herb that has been used for thousands of years to aid with upset stomach or indigestion. Mint is thought to improve the flow of bile through the stomach, which helps to speed and ease digestion.Mint also has the effect of calming and cooling skin affected by insect’s bites, rash or other reactions

Materials

Water (room temperature) Mentos (10 Pills) Thermometer Blender Timer

Procedure

1. Put 10 Mentos in the blender2. Blend the Mentos until it completely breakdown into white powder3. Prepare the glass and pour the water (in room temperature) in it, around ¾

of the glass4. Measure the temperature of the water5. Put the blended Mentos in the glass that contains water6. Slowly stir the mixture of water and Mentos7. Leave the thermometer in the glass and wait for five minutes and record the

temperature8. Record the temperature in every 5 minutes9. Record the temperature for 20 minutes

Data and Analysis

1st trial Mentos and water

Time 5 Minute 10 Minute 15 Minutes 20 Minutes

Temperature 20 19 18 18

1st trial Water

Time 5 Minute 10 Minute 15 Minutes 20 Minutes

Temperature 19.5 18.5 17.5 17

2nd trial Mentos and water

Time 5 Minute 10 Minute 15 Minutes 20 Minutes

Temperature 19 19 18 18

2nd trial water

Time 5 Minute 10 Minute 15 Minutes 20 Minutes

Temperature 18 18 17.5 17

According to the data table, the temperature of normal water decrease even more than the mixture of Mentos and water. The main factor that caused the temperature both water and the Mentos solution to decrease was the temperature of the room. Temperature of Mentos and water decrease was because of the room temperature is lower than the temperature of themselves. We have controlled the room temperature to 16 C to test whether the Mentos really decrease the temperature.

Conclusions

The menthol in Mentos does not have any effect on the temperature either increase or decrease. The reason that we feel cold when we eat it is because menthol has some effect on our sensation.Menthol has a property to stimulate the cold sensitive receptors in skin and mucus membranes producing the feeling of coolness. This is just like the opposite that happen with pepper which stimulate heat receptor producing feeling warmth which does not increase the temperature.

We conclude that the menthol in Mentos don’t decrease the temperature.The temperature decrease because the room temperature was 16 C, which is lower that both water and Mentos solution. If menthol have the effect on the temperature the solution’s temperature must be lower than the normal water.

Real life application

Menthol has many benefits. Can be applied to remove itching from animals or plants.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my teacher T.Ida who helped us with our project and T.Bim for letting us borrow some materials.

Works Cited

http://www.education.com/science-fair/article/does-mint-cool-things- down/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/187048-what-is-the-use-of-menthol/