Create a bubbling pumpkin eruption for Halloween, a perfect kitchen experiment for young kids and fun for all ages!
You Need
- 2-3 packets of baking soda (sodium hydrogen carbonate)
- ½ glass of vinegar + ½ glass of water
- A pumpkin or a large glass
- Food coloring
- 1 teaspoon of dish soap
- A large waterproof surface, such as a tray
What to Do
Place the baking powder into the large glass or a pumpkin. Fill a second glass halfway with vinegar and dilute it with water until it is almost full. Then, add the food coloring. Carefully pour the mixture into the large glass/pumpkin containing the baking powder.
Explanation
NaHCO3 + H3O+ –> Na+ + CO2 + 2 H2O
This reaction is an acid-base reaction between acetic acid (CH₃COOH) in vinegar and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) in baking soda. It produces carbon dioxide (CO₂), water (H₂O), and sodium acetate (CH₃COONa). The CO₂ forms bubbles, and the dish soap traps them, creating foam.
The food coloring is purely for visual effect and has no chemical impact on the reaction; it’s added, as well as the dish soap, because the foaming is much more fun when it is colored and it foams a lot. No dish soap was used in the video.
Also of Interest
We know baking powder as raising agent from the kitchen and in this Clever Picture we take a look at how it works and how it was developed
Extinguishing a candle with baking powder and vinegar
A growing list of ideas to get young children excited about chemistry
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