Fantastic Foamy Fountain

(The Elephant's Toothpaste Experiment)

Things required

A clean 16 ounce plastic soda bottle

1/2 cup 20-volume hydrogen peroxide liquid (20-volume is a 6% solution, ask an adult to get this from a beauty supply store or hair salon)

1 Tablespoon (one packet) of dry yeast

3 Tablespoons of warm water

Liquid dish washing soap

Food coloring

Small cup

Safety goggles

 

Procedure:

NOTE: As you can see from the picture, foam will overflow from the bottle, so be sure to do this experiment on a washable surface, or place the bottle on a tray.

1. Hydrogen peroxide can irritate skin and eyes, so put on those safety goggles and ask an adult to carefully pour the hydrogen peroxide into the bottle.

2. Add 8 drops of your favorite food coloring into the bottle.

3. Add about 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap into the bottle and swish the bottle around a bit to mix it.

4. In a separate small cup, combine the warm water and the yeast together and mix for about 30 seconds.

5. Now the adventure starts! Pour the yeast water mixture into the bottle (a funnel helps here) and watch the foaminess begin!

 

What to do

Foam is awesome! The foam you made is special because each tiny foam bubble is filled with oxygen. The yeast acted as a catalyst (a helper) to remove the oxygen from the hydrogen peroxide. Since it did this very fast, it created lots and lots of bubbles. Did you notice the bottle got warm. Your experiment created a reaction called an Exothermic Reaction - that means it not only created foam, it created heat! The foam produced is just water, soap, and oxygen so you can clean it up with a sponge and pour any extra liquid left in the bottle down the drain.

 

This experiment is sometimes called "Elephant's Toothpaste" because it looks like toothpaste coming out of a tube, but don't get the foam in your mouth!

 

Answer these questions:

1. Does the amount of yeast change the amount of foam produced?

2. Does the experiment work as well if you add the dry yeast without mixing it with water?

3. Does the size of the bottle affect the amount of foam produced?urce Code. 

Build a Film Canister Rocket

Things required

One empty 35mm plastic film canister and lid. These are getting harder to find, but stores that develop film should have some. (The white canisters work much better than the black ones do.) If you have trouble finding canisters, you can get them HERE.

One fizzing antacid tablet (such as Alka-Seltzer - Get this from your parents)

Water

Safety goggles

 

Procedure:

1. Put on those safety goggles and head outside - no really, when this works, that film canister really flies! If you want to try the indoor version, do not turn the canister upside down in step 5.

2. Break the antacid tablet in half.

3. Remove the lid from the film canister and put a teaspoon (5 ml) of water into the canister.

Do the next 2 steps quickly

4. Drop the tablet half into the canister and snap the cap onto the canister (make sure that it snaps on tightly.)

5. Quickly put the canister on the ground CAP SIDE DOWN and STEP BACK at least 2 meters.

6. About 10 seconds later, you will hear a POP! and the film canister will launch into the air!

Caution: If it does not launch, wait at least 30 second before examining the canister. Usually the cap is not on tight enough and the build up of gas leaked out.

 

How does it work

There's nothing like a little rocket science to add some excitement to the day. When you add the water it starts to dissolve the alka-seltzer tablet. This creates a gas call carbon dioxide. As the carbon dioxide is being released, it creates pressure inside the film canister. The more gas that is made, the more pressure builds up until the cap it blasted down and the rocket is blasted up. This system of thrust is how a real rocket works whether it is in outer space or here in the earth's atmosphere. Of course, real rockets use rocket fuel. You can experiment controlling the rocket's path by adding fins and a nose cone that you can make out of paper. If you like this experiment, try the Exploding Lunch Bag. Be safe and have fun!

 

Answer these questions:

1. Does water temperature affect how fast the rocket launches?

2. Does the size of the tablet piece affect how long it takes for the rocket to launch?

3. Can the flight path be controlled by adding fins or a nosecone to the canister?

4. How much water in the canister will give the highest flight?

5. How much water will give the quickest launch? 

Rapid Color Changing Chemistry

 

Sometimes it’s hard to tell SCIENCE from MAGIC - and this little demonstration is a great example of that. In this experiment you will watch an almost clear liquid suddenly turn dark blue in a flash. It takes a bit of preparation, and probably a trip to the pharmacy for materials, but we think it’s worth it.

Do this experiment  with the help of an adult.

 

Things required

3 clear plastic cups 4 ounces or larger

A 1000 mg Vitamin C tablet from the pharmacy (you can also use two 500mg)

Tincture of iodine (2%) also from the pharmacy

Hydrogen peroxide (3%) yep, also from the pharmacy

Liquid laundry starch (see below for alternatives)

Safety goggles

Measuring spoons

Measuring cup

An adult helper

 

Procedure:

Put on those safety goggles and mash the 1000 mg Vitamin C tablet by placing it into a plastic bag and crushing it with a rolling pin or the back of a large spoon. Get it into as much of a fine powder as possible. Then put all the powder in the first cup and add 2 ounces (60 ml) of warm water. Stir for at least 30 seconds. (The water may be a little cloudy) Let’s call this “LIQUID A”

Now put 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of your LIQUID A into a new cup and add to it: 2 oz (60 ml) of warm water and 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of the iodine. Notice the brown iodine turned clear! Let’s call this “LIQUID B.” By the way, you’re done with LIQUID A - you can put it aside.

In the last cup, mix 2 oz of warm water, 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) of the hydrogen peroxide and 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) of the liquid starch. This is, you guessed it, “LIQUID C”

Okay, that was a lot of preparation, on to the fun part. Gather the friends and family and pour all of LIQUID B into LIQUID C. Then pour them back and fourth between the 2 cups a few times. Place the cup down and observe….be patient....somewhere between a few seconds and a few minutes, the liquid will suddenly turn dark blue!

 

How does it work

This is an example of the chemical reaction know as the IODINECLOCK REACTION. It is called a clock reaction because you can change the amount if time it takes for the liquids to turn blue. (see experiments below) The chemistry of the demonstration gets a bit complicated, but basically it is a battle of chemistry between the starch which is trying to turn the iodine blue, and the Vitamin C which is keeping it from turning blue. Eventually the Vitamin C loses and, bam! - you get instant blueness.

Note: If you do not have liquid starch, you can also use 1/2 teaspoon of corn starch or potato starch. The liquids will be more cloudy and the reaction will happen a bit more slowly, but it’s still impressive.

Clean up: Carefully pour all liquids down the drain with plenty of water and wash your hands. Recycle the cups or dispose of them in the trash.

 

Answer these questions:

1. Does the temperature of the water affect how quickly the liquids turn blue?

2. Does the amount of Vitamin C added (Liquid A) affect how fast the liquid turns blue?

3. Does stirring the liquids more affect how fast the liquids turn blue? 

 

Build a tabletop hovercraft

Things required

An old CD or DVD disc

A 9” balloon

A pop-top cap from a liquid soap bottle or a water bottleA hot glue gu

 

Procedure:

If you are using the cap from a water bottle, cover the center hole of the CD with a piece of tape and poke about 6 holes in the tape with a push-pin or small nail. This will slow down the flow of air and allow your hovercraft to hover longer.

Use the hot glue gun to glue the cap to the center of the CD or DVD disc. Create a good seal to keep air from escaping.

Blow up the balloon all the way and pinch the neck of it. (Don’t tie it.)

Make sure the pop-top is closed and fit the neck of the balloon over the pop-up portion of the cap. (This is usually easier with 2 people)

That’s it! When your ready to commence hovering, simply put the craft on a smooth surface and pop the top open. 

 

How does it work

The air flow created by the balloon causes a cushion of moving air between the disc and the surface. This lifts the CD and reduces the friction which allows the disc to hover freely. Large scale hovercraft are capable of traveling over land, snow and water.

 

Answer these questions:

1. Does the size of the balloon affect the CDs ability to hover?

2. Does a helium balloon work better than an air filled balloon?

3. Do larger discs make better hovercrafts (plastic picnic plates, old record albums) ?

Build your own personal fog Tornado

Things required

A copier paper box

A small 12 volt computer fan from a computer or electronics store. It should be at least 3x3 inches (8cm X 8cm).

A piece of clear plastic 10 X 17 inches (25cm X43cm) If your really in a hurry, you can test your fog tornado with clear plastic food wrap.

A small plastic food container

Dry ice (or other source of fog - see below)

Black paint

9-volt battery (if your fan doesn't plug in)

Optional (but cool) battery-powered tap light

Adult help

 

Procedure:

Parts of the cardboard will need to be cut out using an exact-o blade.This part is definitely for an adult - kids hurt themselves every year trying to cut foam core and cardboard - don't let that be you - know when to ask for help.

Follow the diagrams below, cutting away the areas marked in gray. IMPORTANT: Pay special attention to the placement of the slots. In order for the tornado to work, the slots will need to be in the correct place.

The opening at the top should be just a bit smaller than your fan.

The opening at the bottom should be bigger than the plastic food container.

Paint the inside of the box with flat black poster paint and allow it to dry.

Tape (or hot glue) the clear piece of plastic into the large window on the front. Be sure to keep the nearby slot open so air can flow through it.

Attach the tap-light to the inside of the top of the tornado box near the fan opening.

That’s it! Your Tornado Chamber is ready. 

 

A note about the fog. I have found 3 decent sources of fog:

DRY ICE - Dry ice makes the best looking tornado, in my opinion, which is why I give the directions for it here. Dry ice should only be handled by adults. It can cause instant frostbite. Never handle dry ice without thick gloves and always wear safety goggles. Only someone familiar with dry ice and its dangers should handle it.

HUMIDIFIER - Many small humidifiers create a continuous source of mist that works well for the tornado chamber. You will need to find a way to mount the tornado chamber above your humidifier.

FOUNTAIN MISTERS - A fountain mister uses ultrasonic vibrations to create a light mist. They can often be found in stores that sell small fountains and in some pet shops.

 

FOG TORNADO TIME!

Turn on the battery powered light if you have one, and power up the fan. (red wire goes on the skinnier lead of the 9 volt battery) and place it on the top of the chamber with the breeze blowing up.

Place some small chunks of dry ice into your food container and add some warm water to create fog.

Put your tornado chamber over the container and watch the wonders of vortex currents at work!

 

How does it work

As the fan forces air out of the chamber, air from outside the box is forced in through the slots on the sides. The position of the slots causes the incoming air to create a VORTEX (spiral) of air as it is drawn up and out of the box. Real tornados form in a similar way using updrafts and wind-shear (wind from different directions at different altitudes)

 

Answer these questions:

1. Can you control the shape of the tornado by covering up parts of the slots?

2. Does a faster or more powerful fan change the shape of the vortex?

3. Do bigger boxes make bigger tornados?