Experiment #1: Inflate a balloon with baking soda and vinegar

My mother played a key role in molding my thought process. She would talk science behind simple concepts like what happens when yeast is added to idly batter, process of fermentation, how curd is formed, prism effect, chlorophyll experiments on a day-to-day basis. Like its part of her conversation. We would do projects like drip irrigation or windmill generation model plants for Navaratri, a South Indian festival. I owe my interest in science to her. Since the whole concept makes you think and get creative, I am trying to inculcate the same interest to my son.

Today  I am sharing details about a simple experiment which we did with Katli during last three weekends. I feel doing certain things repetitively makes the kids remember it better. After all practice makes a man perfect right?

I am going to follow the template I have used in my school days.

Aim: To see whether the balloon gets inflated using baking soda and vinegar

Things needed: 

1. 1 small empty glass or plastic bottle (We used 500 ml lemonade bottle)
2. 3-4 tablespoon baking soda
3. 1/2 cup vinegar
4. 1/4 cup water (use in method 2)
5. Funnel
6. Small Balloon

Directions: We followed two methods to compare which method was better.

Method 1 (no water involved):

1. Stretch the balloon well. Gently tap the baking soda into it. Set aside.
2. Add the vinegar to bottle. Place the neck of the balloon over the bottle opening. Don't let the baking soda fall into the vinegar.
3. Once everything is set, gently lift the balloon.When the baking soda falls or comes in contact with vinegar, fizz is produced. This will cause the balloon to inflate.

Method 2:

1. Start by stretching the balloon well. Set it aside.
2. Carefully pour the baking soda into the bottle using the funnel (refer the pictures). 
3. Add water and dissolve it. 
4. Pour the vinegar and wrap the neck of the balloon into the mouth of the bottle. Watch the balloon inflate. This method made the balloon inflate to a small size. This was because when vinegar was poured, the reaction started to happen well before the balloon was attached to the bottle neck. Some gas was lost to the surrounding hence it wasn't as effective.

What actually happens?

It is a simple acid-base reaction. When baking soda and vinegar comes in contact they react to produce carbon dioxide. The gas spreads out and reaches the balloon which gets inflates it. 

I explained in a much simpler way to my three year old son. I said when this white powder touches the vinegar, magic happens. I told him to watch the fizz and see how the balloon grew in size. He was excited and wanted to do it again. 

How to improvise the experiment?

1. Increase the amount of vinegar or baking soda and note the change.
2. Use balloons or bottle of different size and see how big each balloon gets.

Next post is about understanding the difference between light and heavy objects.