Do you want a quick science experiment to demonstrate chemical reactions? Well, look no further!
I wanted to demonstrate chemical reactions, and among the easiest (and most exciting) is the baking soda and vinegar experiment.
However, simply mixing baking soda and vinegar didn’t seem exciting enough. Instead, I decided to make a game out of it!
This science experiment is really simple. You’re probably very familiar with what happens when you mix baking soda and vinegar already, but I’ll break it down below for you too.
But first, here’s what you need to conduct this “game” and experiment.
If you’d like more STEM activity ideas, make sure to grab my FREE eBook on 25 STEM activities here.
Supplies
- Baking Soda
- Vinegar
- Food Coloring
- Small containers or bowls
Experiment
First, drop a few drops of food coloring to each container. We did three colors, but you could do the entire rainbow and see how to colors mix too!
I then sprinkle enough baking soda into the bowls to completely cover the food coloring. I used about 4 tablespoons.
Next, game time begins! We shuffled around the bowls, and everyone had to guess which color was going to explode. It was a good opportunity and chance to reinforce the process of elimination.
Everyone holds up their color card to make their guess about what color will explode.
I used these squirt bottles to make the process really easy. As soon as I add the vinegar to the baking soda, the chemical reaction occurs, and a burst of colors explodes from the bowl.
I really enjoyed seeing the baking soda and vinegar reaction with a blast of color.
What happens when you mix baking soda and vinegar?
With the baking soda and vinegar experiment, we get to experience all three states of matter: liquid, solid, and gas.
The vinegar is liquid. The baking soda is solid.
When baking soda and vinegar combine, they react and generate carbon dioxide gas. That is why we see the fizzing effect. If you were to do this experiment in bottles and place a balloon over it, you’d see the balloon “magically” fill up when the reaction occurs.
Let us know what you think of our exploding colors experiment! If you’re looking for another colorful science experiment, check out the Magic Milk Science Experiment too!
