How to Make Volcano Chemicals Using Vinegar & Baking Soda

The volcano erupts.

Creating a volcanic eruption using the classic vinegar and baking soda routine is a staple of children's science fairs the world over. The simulated eruption is essentially carbon dioxide bubbles escaping through the volcanic tube when vinegar (an acid) is added to the baking soda base (the alkali). With a little red or orange food coloring, the bubbly mess can be called lava and children will love it.

Things You'll Need

• Flat tray with sides
• Empty toilet paper roll
• Modeling clay
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 1-2 tablespoons each water and baking soda
• Liquid dish detergent
• Red or orange food coloring

Instructions

1. Place an empty toilet paper roll on the flat tray and mold modeling clay around it to make the shape of your volcano. Get creative here! You can use white at the top of your mountain with brown and green at the bottom. At the base of your volcano you can put models of homes or farms around to simulate villagers under threat of your erupting volcano.

2. Stir 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1-2 tablespoons of water and a drop or two of dish detergent into the bottom of your volcanic crater. Add a drop or two of red or orange food coloring and send out the warning to the villagers below that the mountain could erupt.

3. Pour in the vinegar and watch the ensuing eruption. Once you're finished, the experiment can be created again and again. This is a great opportunity for children to be exposed to the wonders of the natural world while having a great time. For an inside craft on a rainy day, nothing beats it.

Tips & Warnings

• There's not much to be worried about with this experiment aside from the fact that it is messy, so take the proper precautions and have fun!

References

• Kaboose: Erupting Volcano Experiment
• Kid's Science Experiments: Making a Volcano