The balloon activity demonstrates the fundamentals of acid based chemistry.
Materials:
- Balloon (mouth needs to fit snugly over bottle opening)
- Soda bottle
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
Instructions:
1.Pour about 1/2-cup vinegar into the bottle.
2.Put about 1/4-cup baking soda into the balloon.
3.Without getting baking soda into the bottle, fit the balloon opening over the bottle mouth.
4.Hold balloon vertically over bottle to allow baking soda to mix in with the vinegar. Be careful, balloon may pop.
Tip: You may want to perform this experiment outside or over a sink because it can get messy.
5.Watch it go!
Engineering Principles:
Explanation:
Vinegar (HC2H3O2 aq) is an acid (pH 2.5). Baking soda ((2NaHCO3 s) is a base (pH 8). When combined, a reaction occurs and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is released. The balloon expands as it captures the CO2.
The pH scale:
The pH scale ranges from 0 (extremely acidic) to 14 (extremely alkaline or basic). The pH scale measures how many hydrogen ions are in an aqueous solution. Acids have higher levels of hydrogen ions. Each change in pH number represents a tenfold change in acidity. Distilled water has a neutral pH of 7.0.
Other Common Acids:
Juices, Yogurt, Cream of Tartar, Molasses, Sour Milk, Coca-Cola, Coffee, Tea
Other Common Bases:
Milk of Magnesia, Ammonia, Lye, Soap, Alka Seltzer
