Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Carbon Dioxide Experiment



The kids were bored this evening, so I suggested David should find an experiment to do with them.  He remembered something he had seen as a child but had never actually done.  It turned out really well!

This experiment shows in a tangible way that carbon dioxide is heavier than air.

Materials List:

Baking Soda
Vinegar
Large Pitcher
Dowel
String
Paper Clips (2)
Paper Lunch Bags (2)
Weight

Directions:

Make a balance by using any objects you have that will work (David used a screwdriver with a square shaft as the fulcrum and our blender base as a weight to hold it in place).  Tie two lengths of approximately 6 inch string to the ends of your dowel and attach a paper clip to each string.  Attach paper bags to the paper clips.

Pour some vinegar into your pitcher (No measurements were made, sorry!) and then pour in a generous amount of baking soda.  Let the solution foam for a bit.  Once the foam has gone back down, carefully pour the carbon dioxide (not the liquid!) into one of the bags and watch what happens!

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