How to Make Volcanoes Erupt

Though it is not possible for one person to make a real volcano explode, making a model volcano explode can be a fun and educational experience. Below are the ingredients for red-hot good time.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A large sheet of wax paper Modeling clay Metal spoon Large baking sheet Glass bottle with a narrow neck Small plastic cup Red food coloring Funnel 4 tbsp. baking soda 1/2 cup white vinegar 3 drops liquid dish soap

Making the Exterior

1. Lay the wax paper out on a flat surface.

2. Roll the modeling clay in your hands to warm it up. This will make it easier to work with it.

3. Make a mountain out of the clay.

4. Use the spoon to hollow out the middle so that the glass bottle will fit inside. Make sure this is an opening at the top of the volcano where the lava can spew out.

Here Comes the Lava

5. Put the glass bottle in the middle of the large baking sheet. Place the volcano on top of the bottle so that the lip of the bottle fits into the opening at the top of the volcano.

6. Place the funnel in the neck of the bottle.

7. Put the food coloring, baking soda and liquid soap into the plastic cup.

8. Dump the contents of the plastic cup into the funnel.

9. Pour the vinegar directly into the funnel, then remove the funnel quickly.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the opening of the volcano fits snugly around the top of the bottle, otherwise the lava will spill into the volcano instead of down the sides of the volcano. You can always use the spoon to make minor adjustments once the bottle is inside.
• The red lava can be very messy, so be sure to create the explosion in an area free of important documents, white linens or anything that could be ruined. Wear old clothes, as the lava can get on your hands and clothes as well.

Resources

• Vinegar Plus Baking Soda Explanation
• Digital Bits Science Lab

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