View larger
Making a Gas You Can See
New activity
In this short demo/activity, a balloon with baking soda in it is stretched over the mouth of a flask or bottle containing vinegar.
Open Activity
How-to Video
-
Rating
-
Participants Enjoyed the ActivityParticipants Learned from This ActivityActivity Instructions Were Clear and Easy to FollowWould Recommend
Related Programming Resources
Reviews
A good demo!
I've used this activity when I need a fun and quick science demo for a program. It works best showing it to younger kids- 3rd grade and younger. Older kids aren't as amazed by the balloon blowing up, but younger kids think it is magic. It really facilitates discussion. As you set things up, you can ask the kids what they think you are doing; why would vinegar be in the bottle and baking soda in the balloon? When the balloon starts to expand, ask why they think its happening?
Be prepared to do this experiment a few times; kids like to see it again once they know what's happening. You can also change things up by altering the amount of vinegar/baking soda you use.