Hey there! Are you ready for a fun experiment? Today, we’re going to blow up a balloon, but not by using our breath. Instead, we’ll use two things you probably have in your kitchen: baking soda and vinegar. Sounds cool, right? Let’s find out how it works!
A chemical reaction happens when two different things mix together and create something new. For example, when you bake cookies, you’re making a chemical reaction. Or when you eat food and burp, that’s also a chemical reaction! In every chemical reaction, we start with reactants, which are the things we mix together. After they mix, we get a product, which is the new stuff that’s made.
For our experiment, we’ll use baking soda (a solid) and vinegar (a liquid). When we mix them, they create a gas, which will blow up our balloon!
Make sure you’re in a place where it’s okay to make a little mess!
First, put the funnel inside the balloon and fill it with three tablespoons of baking soda. Next, clean your funnel and tablespoon, then place the funnel inside the bottle and add three tablespoons of vinegar.
Now, carefully attach the balloon to the opening of the bottle, making sure the baking soda stays inside the balloon. If you need help, ask a friend or a grown-up.
On the count of three, lift the balloon so the baking soda falls into the vinegar. Ready? One, two, three! Watch as the balloon starts to blow up!
When the baking soda and vinegar mix, they create a new product: a gas. This gas fills up the balloon, making it blow up. Isn’t that amazing?
What do you think would happen if you used more vinegar or baking soda? Would the balloon get bigger? Would there be more liquid in the bottle? Try it out and see what you discover!
Thanks for joining us for this experiment. If you have any questions or experiments you’d like to share, grab a grown-up and leave a comment or send us an email at [email protected]. See you next time!
Balloon Size Experiment: Try using different amounts of baking soda and vinegar to see how it affects the size of the balloon. Start with one tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of vinegar, then try two tablespoons of baking soda and one tablespoon of vinegar. Observe which combination makes the balloon the biggest. Discuss why you think this happens. What do you notice about the amount of gas produced?
Reaction Observation Journal: Keep a journal of your experiments. Draw pictures of what happens when you mix baking soda and vinegar. Write down what you see, hear, and feel. Do you notice any bubbles or hear any fizzing sounds? How does the balloon change? Share your journal with a friend or family member and explain what you learned about chemical reactions.
Everyday Chemical Reactions Hunt: Go on a hunt around your home or school to find other examples of chemical reactions. Look for things like baking bread, rust forming on metal, or even a candle burning. Take notes or draw pictures of what you find. Discuss with a grown-up how these reactions are similar to or different from the baking soda and vinegar experiment.
