Who doesn’t love a good baggie explosion experiment? Kids will love repeating this over and over. Try using different sized baggies to create bigger and better explosions. It’s best to do this experiment outside, but if the weather isn’t cooperating, a bathtub or sink will work too! Stand back, and get ready for some science fizz fun! As always, food coloring makes everything more fun.
What you need:
- Water
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Zipper lock plastic sandwich bag
- Paper towel
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
What you do:
1. Select a baggie that does not have holes.
2. Tear a paper towel into a square that measures about 5 inches by 5 inches.
3. Put 1 ½ tablespoons of baking soda in the center of the square.
4. Fold the square into a little packet with the baking soda folded in the middle.
5. Pour 1/2 cup vinegar and ¼ cup warm water into your baggie.
6. Now, here’s the tricky part…you need to drop the time release packet into the vinegar and water and zip the bag closed before the fizzing gets crazy.
7. Shake the bag a little, put it in the sink/bath tub/or ground and stand back! The bag will puff up and pop the baggie with a BANG!
Why does it work?
The bubbles in the baggie are filled with carbon dioxide, a gas that forms when the vinegar (an acid) reacts with the baking soda (a base).
