intro
Make spaghetti do tricks with this fun and fizzy experiment! While this activity is a real dance party in a glass, by observing the results of combining baking soda and vinegar children will gain a unique perspective on chemical reactions.
set up ideas
To get started quickly, have all of your ingredients premeasured and ready to go. Otherwise, let the children help in breaking up the spaghetti and measuring out the other ingredients.
Make spaghetti do tricks with this fun and fizzy experiment! While this activity is a real dance party in a glass, by observing the results of combining baking soda and vinegar children will gain a unique perspective on chemical reactions.
set up ideas
To get started quickly, have all of your ingredients premeasured and ready to go. Otherwise, let the children help in breaking up the spaghetti and measuring out the other ingredients.
let's get started
For this activity, you will need to gather the following materials: a pack of uncooked spaghetti noodles, 1 cup of water, two teaspoons of baking soda, 5 teaspoons of vinegar, a tall clear glass, art paper and crayons.
step 1
Pour a cup of water and two teaspoons of baking soda into a tall clear glass. Stir the mixture together until the baking soda has dissolved into the water.
Pour a cup of water and two teaspoons of baking soda into a tall clear glass. Stir the mixture together until the baking soda has dissolved into the water.
step 2
Break pieces of uncooked spaghetti into 1-inch long pieces. Place about 6 pieces into the glass of water and dissolved baking soda. The pieces will sink to the bottom.
Break pieces of uncooked spaghetti into 1-inch long pieces. Place about 6 pieces into the glass of water and dissolved baking soda. The pieces will sink to the bottom.
step 3
Add vinegar to the solution in the glass. Observe as the pieces of spaghetti at the bottom of the glass begin to pop up and dance around!
Add vinegar to the solution in the glass. Observe as the pieces of spaghetti at the bottom of the glass begin to pop up and dance around!
step 4
As the spaghetti dance begins to slow down, add a little more vinegar to the solution to keep the dance party going!
As the spaghetti dance begins to slow down, add a little more vinegar to the solution to keep the dance party going!
What makes these little noodles start to boogie is the reaction between the baking soda and vinegar. When these chemicals react, they produce water and carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide floats to the top of the glass in the form of bubbles, which lifts the spaghetti on the way up.
Tips and TricksNote: much like erupting volcano activities, this activity has the potential to become quite messy. We recommend performing this activity over an art tray to catch any spills that may occur.
Follow up ActivityHave the children draw a picture of what they saw happening in the container or use remaining spaghetti pieces as a unique collage material.