How to Make Vinegar Explode

Get your parents' help before starting this kitchen experiment.

A fun at-home experiment that any kid can accomplish is making vinegar explode. Kids, ask Mom or Dad for permission before you build this mini volcano.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• 2-liter bottle
• Towel

1. Gather your supplies. You will need to have the 2-liter bottle, vinegar and baking soda all in one open place. Be sure to lay down a towel under the bottle to catch your "lava." Keep some paper towels handy, too.

2. Add baking soda. Pour baking soda into the bottom of the 2-liter bottle. The level of the baking soda should reach about 1/2 to 1 inch up the side of the 2-liter bottle.

3. Pour the vinegar. You will now add a hefty pouring of vinegar. The vinegar will need to be poured quickly, and need not be measured.

4. Stand back. The vinegar will mix with the baking soda and explode like a volcano.

Tips & Warnings

• Try adding red food coloring to your vinegar to make it look more like lava. For a science project, construct a volcano base to show off your experiment.

References

• Science Kids: Baking Soda & Vinegar Volcano
• Cascades Volcano Observatory: Soda Bottle Volcano