Get messy in the kitchen with these mini volcanoes!

You’ll Need:

Vinegar
Baking Soda
Food Coloring
Muffin sheet and various spoons
Squirt bottle (optional)

Directions:
1. Scoop various amounts of baking soda into each muffin cup

2. Add a little food coloring to each cup- mix colors for added fun!

3. Slowly pour vinegar onto the baking soda and watch for the chemical reaction. Helpful hint: Using a squirt bottle, like an empty mustard bottle, helps to control the pour.

4. Get out various mixing tools (i.e., spoons, toothpicks, mini-wisk) to observe changes as you mix.

So what’s the science behind this?

This is a chemical reaction between a base (baking soda) and an acid (vinegar). When the two combine a few things happen: “First, hydrogen ions in the vinegar react with the sodium and bicarbonate ions in the baking soda. The result of this initial reaction is two new chemicals: carbonic acid and sodium acetate. The second reaction is a decomposition reaction. The carbonic acid formed as a result of the first reaction immediately begins to decompose into water and carbon dioxide gas. Just like carbon dioxide bubbles in a carbonated drink, the carbon dioxide (that formed as the carbonic aciddecomposed) rises to the top of the mixture. This creates the bubbles and foam you see when you mix baking soda and vinegar” (Chemistry Rocket: https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments/acid-base-rocket/)