One of the best science experiments for kids is the beloved classic that involves making a miniature baking soda and vinegar geyser. Not only is it fun and exciting, but it teaches children the important principles of chemical reactions. Specifically, it teaches kids all about what happens when a base (baking soda) combines with an acid (vinegar). This is also a great science experiment for homeschooling parents who are teaching their young children the wonders of basic chemistry.
Tools and materials needed:
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
Vinegar (acetic acid)
A container
(or, if you are feeling crafty, a papermache volcano with a shallow container or cup near the mouth of the mountain)
Towels (believe me, this project can get messy)
Step 1: Put some baking soda into the container. There is no “right” amount for this step, just dump in enough baking soda that it covers about an inch of the bottom of the container.
Step 2: Pour some vinegar into the container. You’ll want to do this step pretty quickly. For best results, don’t drizzle the vinegar into the container, dump it into the container using one quick motion.
Step 3: Sit back and be amazed at the miniature geyser that results from the baking soda and vinegar combining.
Why does this work?
The small scale baking soda and vinegar explosion occurs because of a reaction between a base and an acid. The baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) used in this science experiment acts as the base, and the vinegar (acetic acid) acts as the acid. When the baking soda and vinegar combine, they form carbonic acid. Carbonic acid is a highly unstable substance that almost immediately breaks apart into water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules. It is this breaking apart that causes all of the cool fizzing that takes place during the baking soda vinegar explosion.
Have fun experimenting with containers of all different sizes and shapes – a long, narrow necked bottle makes for really great results!