How to Make a Model Volcano Erupt

Difficulty: Easy

Things You'll Need:

1/2 cup water
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup dish detergent
Red or orange food coloring
2 tablespoons baking soda
Tissue

Build your volcano. In the center, use a container to hold liquid. Depending on how big you are making your volcano, this can be an old water bottle, soda bottle with the top cut off, or even a simple glass jar.
Add ingredients to your container. This includes water, vinegar, dish detergent and food coloring. Do not add your baking soda at this stage.
Add the baking soda when you are ready for an eruption. Wrap the baking soda in a tissue and drop into the volcano. The baking soda will react with the vinegar and cause the eruption.
When constructing your volcano, you could get very clever with release mechanisms for the baking soda. A hidden trip lever could be built in which is tripped with a fishing line. Attach the baking soda here, and pull the string instead of dropping the baking soda in the top! This is a way to surprise people at the fair!

4 comments

Jun 18, 2011. 7:14 PMTheHawkeye says:

Instead of Vinegar (5% Acetic acid, a weak monoprotic acid) and Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate, a weak base)you should really use Hydrochloric acid and Sodium Hydroxide!
=D
Much better results!

Nov 16, 2010. 6:37 AMtocsik says:

We use Dry ice instead of the baking soda an vinegar. It gives it kind of a smokey effect too. The problem with that is it involves an adult handling the dry ice instead of the student. So I guess it depends on whether its a demonstration for or by a student.

Kudos on the use of the Dish soap. We Like the way it bubbles when we use it.

Nov 28, 2010. 10:47 PMrodniactive says:

your code name is uncorrectly
the correct spell for that is toxic
YOU KNOW!!!!!

Nov 29, 2010. 7:54 AMtocsik says:

You are right, however my real name is Scott so if you flip it around you get ttocs then drop a "t" and add "ik" and you get "tocsik". That is why I spell it that way.