🎆 Baking Soda and Vinegar “Fireworks” Experiment
🔬 What’s Happening?
When baking soda (a base) reacts with vinegar (an acid), they create carbon dioxide gas. This bubbling reaction can create fun fizzy bursts — like a mini firework display — especially when paired with food coloring or glitter for effect.
🔹 Materials Needed:
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Baking soda
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White vinegar
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Food coloring (variety of colors)
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Small bowls or cupcake pan
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Pipette, dropper, or spoon
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Glitter (optional)
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Tray or baking sheet (to catch overflow)
🧪 Instructions:
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Set the Stage:
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Place your bowls or muffin tin wells on a tray to catch any mess.
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Put 1–2 tablespoons of baking soda into each bowl or well.
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Add Color:
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Sprinkle a few drops of food coloring over the baking soda.
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(Optional) Add glitter for extra sparkle.
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Start the Fireworks:
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Use a dropper, pipette, or spoon to slowly add vinegar over the baking soda.
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Watch the colorful fizzing and bubbling reactions erupt like mini fireworks!
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Keep Going:
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You can keep adding vinegar or baking soda for more bursts.
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Try layering colors or using clear cups to see the reaction from the side.
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🧼 Cleanup Tips:
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Everything is non-toxic and safe for kids (though not edible!).
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Clean with warm water — vinegar and baking soda are natural cleaners.
🌈 Fun Variations:
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Glow Fireworks: Use tonic water (contains quinine) under a blacklight for a glowing effect.
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Frozen Fireworks: Freeze colored vinegar into ice cubes and place them on baking soda for a slow, fizzy melt.
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Firework Painting: Do this on paper and let the reaction stain the paper with colorful splatters.
Would you like a printable activity sheet or ideas for turning this into a STEM lesson for kids?
