Saturday 1 December 2007

Volcano Experiment


Above: Acetic-acid-3D representation of molecular structure.

Hypothesis (this is what we think will happen)


Acetic acid (vinegar), chemical structural formula is represented as CH3COOH.



When Acetic acid is mixed with sodium bicarbonate (baking powder) chemical formula NaHCO3, carbon dioxide is released (CO2).

Method (what we did)
We made a plasticine volcano, put 1 and a half teaspoons of baking powder in a hole that we made in the middle of the volcano, then put 3 drops of red food colouring in the baking soda (this made the lava). And we poured a little bit of vinegar onto the baking soda (the same as baking powder) and the volcano ERUPTED!!!!!
Conclusion:
We had learnt that vinegar and baking powder (or Sodium bicarbonate and Acetic acid) will react chemically to release carbon dioxide.