How to Make a Volcano With a Pop Bottle & Vinegar

Volcano Experiment

Making a volcano and watching it explode is exciting for kids. The reason for needing to do this science experiment can vary from completing a class project to just having fun at home. In any case, using a pop bottle and vinegar can cause a replica explosion that does not require much space to accomplish. It is helpful to let kids know why this experiment works so well with a followup explanation.

Things You'll Need

• Shallow cardboard box
• 16 ounce clear pop bottle, rinsed and clean
• 1/16 cup of water
• 1 tbsp. of baking powder
• 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
• 3 drops of dish detergent
• 3 drops of red food coloring, optional
• Small funnel
• 1 inch x 1 inch square of tissue paper
• 1/2 cup table salt, optional
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, optional
• 1 cup water, optional

Instructions

Pop Bottle and Vinegar Volcano

1. Place the pop bottle in the center of a shallow cardboard box. Make sure it is on a flat surface, so the bottle will not tip over. If you really want to secure the bottle in place, use play dough around the bottle to build a mountain that looks like an actual volcano. See the instructions for this below in Section 2.

2. Place the funnel head into the top of the pop bottle. Add in the water, dish detergent and vinegar. Use about three drops of red food coloring to make this mixture explode in a similar color to lava. This is optional, but gives a great effect.

3. Place the baking powder on the square of tissue paper. Roll the tissue paper into a tight pack, tight enough that the entire roll will fit through the funnel head and into the pop bottle.

4. Quickly remove the funnel once the baking powder is added. You will see the mixture building up the pop bottle until it explodes out the top.

Optional Volcano Structure

1. Build a volcano mountain around the pop bottle by combining 1/2 cup table salt, 3 cups all-purpose flour and 1 cup water in a large bowl. Mix until the dough is firm, but not solid. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour. If it is too hard to shape, add 1 tbsp. of water until it gets to the consistency you need.

2. Start at the base of the pop bottle and build the volcano up. This way you will have better control of the dough not getting into the pop bottle. If any dough gets into the bottle, the volcano will not explode properly.

3. Build the volcano only about half the way up, if you want to see the buildup occurring within the bottle. Otherwise, you can build the volcano to the top, if this is not important to you.

4. Decorate the volcano, if you like with designs. You can even paint the dough with acrylic paints to give it a natural look. Just use your imagination.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a clear pop bottle, so you can see the buildup as the volcano explodes. Explain to kids that the volcano explodes because the acid from the vinegar reacts to the baking soda, which produces carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide explodes when it is agitated.

• Supervise kids when doing this experiment. Keep ingredients away from your eyes. Do not let play dough get into the bottle. It will ruin the experiment.

Resources

• Why Baking Soda and Vinegar React