Okay, the baking soda volcano is the kitchen equivalent of a volcano, not a real one. It's cool all the same! The baking soda volcano is also more or less non-toxic, which adds to its appeal.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: 30 minutes
Here's How:
- First make the 'cone' of the baking soda volcano. Mix 6 cups flour, 2 cups salt, 4 tablespoons cooking oil, and 2 cups of water. The resulting mixture should be smooth and firm (more water may be added if needed).
- Stand the soda bottle in the baking pan and mold the dough around it into a volcano shape. Don't cover the hole or drop dough into it.
- Fill the bottle most of the way full with warm water and a bit of red food color (can be done before sculpting if you don't take so long that the water gets cold).
- Add 6 drops of detergent to the bottle contents.
- Add 2 tablespoons baking soda to the liquid.
- Slowly pour vinegar into the bottle. Watch out - eruption time!
- Chemistry is Cool :-)
Tips:
- The cool red lava is the result of a chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar.
- In this reaction, carbon dioxide gas is produced, which is also present in real volcanos.
- As the carbon dioxide gas is produced, pressure builds up inside the plastic bottle, until the gas bubbles (thanks to the detergent) out of the 'volcano'.
- Adding a bit of food coloring will result in red-orange lava! Orange seems to work the best. Add some red, yellow, and even purple, for a bright display.
- If you need more detailed instructions or information about the chemical reactions involved in the volcano, I also have a step-by-step tutorial and a video tutorial.
What You Need:
- 6 cups flour
- 2 cups salt
- 4 tablespoons cooking oil
- warm water
- plastic soda bottle
- dishwashing detergent
- food coloring
- vinegar
- baking dish or other pan
- 2 T baking soda
