Mind Body Soul Summer: Fizzy Rocks

Looking for some fizzy, erupting fun? Our Fizzy Rocks experiment will be sure to get the kids excited as they learn about chemical reactions!

MATERIALS:

Vinegar, baking soda, food coloring, water, bowls, tin foil or parchment paper, spoons, measuring spoons, cookie sheet or flat pan, dropper (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Add three tablespoons of baking soda to a bowl.
2. Add five drops of color to the baking soda.
3. Add 1 teaspoon of water to the baking soda. The mixture needs to be moldable like a snowball. If it is two dry, add a few drops of water. If it’s too wet, add a bit more of baking soda.  
4. Mold the mixture into a ball-shaped rock.  
5. Line your tray or flat pan with tin foil or parchment paper. Place the rocks on top of the paper and put the pan in the freezer for four to six hours.  
6. Experiment Time! There are two ways you can do this experiment. The first is dropping a frozen rock into a bowl of vinegar to see the results. The second takes a bit longer (the anticipation definitely builds doing it this way). Keep the rock on your pan and slowly add drops of vinegar to the rock. Both will have the same end results.                                                                                                                                                                   

WHAT’S HAPPENING:

The Fizzy Rock experiment is all about a chemical reaction. We use vinegar, which is an acid and baking soda, which is an alkali. When you combine the two, the reaction releases a gas, carbon dioxide, which creates the bubbles you see!    

TAKE IT A LITTLE FURTHER:

As you’re molding your rock, add a hidden treasure inside as a surprise!

Dilute your vinegar with water. Does it change the experiment or it’s results?  

Add water to the vinegar. Does it change the results?

Thanks to our sponsor, National Grid.