Science is an exciting subject for kids. The mysteries and apparent magic found within the principles of science are practically endless, and it can be a lot of fun using this science magic in well planned experiments. Magically moving water and freeing a submerged coin using fire is a fantastic science experiment to perform for your child to show him or her the wonders of oxygen and carbon dioxide. It is exciting and highlights some important scientific points.
All that said, because of the fire used in this experiment, most parents will choose to perform this science experiment for their children rather than having the children do this one on their own.
So how do you move water with fire and air?
Tools and materials you’ll need:
A dish of water
A heatproof cup or glass
Paper
Matches
A coin
Step 1: Place the dish of water on a level surface. Next, put the coin towards one edge of the dish so that the coin is submerged in water.
Step 2: Crumple up the paper so that it fits in the heatproof cup or glass. Carefully light the paper, and get it burning.
Step 3: Quickly and carefully flip the cup or glass upside down, and place the open end of the cup or glass onto the water filled dish.
Step 4: Sit back, and be amazed as the water magically moves into the cup or glass, freeing the previously submerged coin.
How does this science experiment work?
As the fire burns, combustion occurs, combining the paper’s carbon and other substances with oxygen. When this occurs, carbon dioxide forms, and there is a shift in gas pressure. The gas pressure in the cup or glass reduces with the expansion of the gases from the heat, and the contraction of the gases during cooling. The result is air flow from outside the cup or glass that pushes the water into it. When the water flows into the glass or cup, the once submerged coin is amazingly freed!
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Sources:
http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/306carbon.html