How to Make a Baking Soda Volcano

 
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Updated on January 08, 2020

The baking soda and vinegar volcano is a classic science project that can help kids
learn about chemical reactions and what happens when a volcano erupts.

Did You Know?

1. The cool red lava is the result of a chemical reaction between the baking
soda and vinegar.
2. In this reaction, carbon dioxide gas is produced, which is also present in
real volcanoes.
3. As the carbon dioxide gas is produced, pressure builds up inside the plastic
bottle, until—thanks to the detergent—the gas bubbles out of the mouth of
the volcano.

Volcano Science Project Materials

1. Party hats
2. Small water bottles
3. 2 tbsp baking soda
4. ¼ cup vinegar
5. Measuring cup
6. Funnel
7. Red food coloring
8. Large tray or plastic tub
9. Dish soap (Dawn)

Experiment with the Volcano

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjCph9LwpU0

party hats, small water bottles, 2 tbsp baking soda, ¼ cup vinegar, measuring
cup, couple of drops of food coloring, barge tray of big tub plastic, dawn

What makes volcano erupt - https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=LQwZwKS9RPs
How to Make Crystals Fast

Updated March 13, 2018

By Adam Flowers

Growing crystals can be fast and easy, and your children get to watch an amazing
process that will stick with them for years to come. The trick to fast crystal formation is
to supersaturate a water solution with a salt that forms crystals. Cooling the solution
helps the salt molecules to settle out and coalesce into tiny crystals that quickly form
into larger ones. The process is fascinating for young and old alike.

Choose a Container
Pick two containers. You want something that is not very porous, such as ceramic,
glass or Pyrex. Each of the containers should be similar in size and shape. Long,
narrow containers will produce a more dramatic display. Clear containers make the
process much more visible, and therefore more fun to watch!

Prepare a Solution of Epsom Salts

Although many household products can be used to make crystals, one of the best
products that gives almost instant results is Epsom salts (also known as magnesium
sulfate). You can find it in the pharmacy section of your local store if you don’t have any
on hand.
Prepare one container by combining ½ cup of Epsom salts with an equal amount of very
hot tap water. Be sure not to boil the water. With a clean spoon, stir the solution for
 approximately one minute. This is your growing solution. Be sure to leave some intact
crystals in your container, as they are the building blocks for more crystals.

Cool the Growing Solution

Place the container with the growing solution in the refrigerator to chill, along with a
second, empty bowl. The second bowl will be used to create a beautiful tower of
crystals later on. To ensure easy removal, place heavy, round weighted base materials
in the bottom of the container. Poker chips, metal washers, or broken terracotta are
good options. They also make for interesting display pieces when finished.

Build a Crystal Tower

After about two to three hours, very fine crystals will have formed in the growing
solution. Once this has happened, gently remove the crystals from the growing solution
with a clean utensil. Place the mound of crystals in the second chilled bowl. Use
caution, because the base crystals will be extremely delicate. Pour the rest of the
growing solution into the bowl, but be very careful not to let any undissolved crystals get
into the bowl. They will disrupt the formation of a solid crystal. Let the bowl sit out at
room temperature. Within three hours, there should be a tall crystal mound ready for
display.

Things You'll Need

● Two nonporous containers (mason jar, pyrex, or Tupperware)

● Epsom salts
● Hot water
● Spoon
● Weighted base materials (pomp oms, sponge, paper clips, etc)

Tips
● Applying petroleum jelly around the inside surface of the container will prevent crystal
growth from building up on the side of the container, ensuring easy removal.
Alternate Method - https://www.greenkidcrafts.com/overnight-crystal-garden/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4xOKnk6RoY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFSwCVTjEpY
Cloud in a Bottle Demonstration
Use Water Vapor to Form a Cloud
Here's a quick and easy science project you can do: make a cloud inside a bottle.
Clouds form when water vapor forms tiny visible droplets. This results from
cooling the vapor. It helps to provide particles around which the water can
liquefy. In this project, we'll use smoke to help form a cloud.

Cloud in a Bottle Materials

You only need a few basic materials for this science project:

● 1-liter bottle
● Warm water (or use alcohol a few teaspoons and no match, add pressure)
● Match

Let's Make Clouds

1. Pour just enough warm water in the bottle to cover the bottom of the
container.
2. Light the match and place the match head inside the bottle.
3. Allow the bottle to fill with smoke.
4. Cap the bottle.
5. Squeeze the bottle really hard a few times. When you release the bottle, you
should see the cloud form. It may disappear between "squeezes."

How Clouds Form

Molecules of water vapor will bounce around like molecules of other gases unless you give them
a reason to stick together. Cooling the vapor slows the molecules down, so they have less kinetic
energy and more time to interact with each other. How do you cool the vapor? When you
squeeze the bottle, you compress the gas and increase its temperature. Releasing the container
lets the gas expand, which causes its temperature to go down. Real clouds form as warm air
rises. As air gets higher, its pressure is reduced. The air expands, which causes it to cool. As it
cools below the dew point, water vapor forms the droplets we see as clouds. Smoke acts the same
in the atmosphere as it does in the bottle. Other nucleation particles include dust, pollution, dirt,
and even bacteria.

Demonstration - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G70y90BVes4
Or with Alcohol - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK-jRMfnqlI
Mason Jar - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE_IU_AjKCo
MASTER SHOPPING LIST

Baking Soda Volcano

● Party hats
● Small water bottles
● Measuring cup
● Funnel
● Large tray or plastic tub
● Dish soap
● Food coloring
● ¼ cup white vinegar
● 2 tbsp baking soda

Epsom Salt Crystals

● 2 Pyrex, glass or mason jar containers
● Epsom salts
● Hot water
● Spoon
● Weighted base materials (pomp oms, sponge pieces, paper clip, etc.)
● Petroleum jelly for sides of container

Cloud in a Bottle
● 1-liter bottles
● Warm water
● (high alcohol isopropyl alcohol)
● Matches