How to Make a Baking Soda Volcano

A baking soda volcano is a classic science project for any elementary science fair. Children love to watch the erupting foam, and it is usually exciting for adults as well. The chemistry behind the volcano is that when the baking soda and vinegar react, it causes a reaction between the substances because baking soda is a base substance, and vinegar is an acidic substance. Making a baking soda volcano is a great project for kids and adults alike.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 6 cups flour
• 2 cups salt
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cups water
• 1 2 liter empty soda bottle
• Warm water
• Red food coloring
• Dishwashing soap
• Vinegar
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• Large baking pan with sides
• Large mixing bowl
• Funnel
• Tape

Getting Started

1. Stand the soda bottle in the baking pan. You may need to tape the bottle to the pan so that it won’t tip over. Set aside. Begin mixing the flour, salt, oil, and water in a large mixing bowl. The mixture should turn into fairly firm dough

2. Building the volcanoMold the dough around the soda bottle, making sure that no dough is dropped inside the bottle. Leave the opening in the top open. If the dough doesn’t want to stick, let it dry a little.

3. Adding further ingredientsHeat the water until warm. Add the red food coloring (other colors could be used if desired). Carefully pour the water inside the opening of the bottle. Fill the bottle nearly to the top. Using a funnel for this process will minimize spills

4. Creating the volcanoAdd the detergent drops to the bottle. Pour the baking soda inside as well. This prepares the volcano for eruption. If you are taking the volcano to a science fair, stop at this step until you get there.

5. Eruption timeWhen you are ready for the eruption, slowly pour the vinegar into the bottle opening. It should immediately start to foam and pour over the top of the volcano. This is because of the reaction between the vinegar and baking soda. This process also gives off carbon dioxide, which is what real volcanoes emit as well.

Tips & Warnings

• • When transporting the volcano from one location to another, the bottle cap can be screwed back on the top of the bottle to eliminate spills.
• • The detergent is what causes the volcano to foam up. The vinegar and baking soda just create carbon dioxide.
• • Colors can be mixed to make a more real looking volcano foam.
• • If the proportions are off in making the volcano, it will not erupt properly. Try to have a trial run before the final project is due to ensure the volcano will erupt as planned.
• • If making the volcano for a science fair, consider making the internal solution at the location of the event. This will help eliminate mistakes and spills along the way.

[derfcarmen]

on 4/15/2009 i always wanted to do this with my nephews! thanks for the info!