Build an Erupting Volcano
What you will need:
For the quick version:
A soda pop bottle
1/4 cup (60 ml) water
1 Tablespoon (15 ml) baking soda
1/4 cup (60 ml) vinegar
A square of toilet tissue
A few drops of red food coloring
A few drops of liquid dishwashing detergent
And additionally for the dramatic model:
Modeling clay in dark gray and red (or dirt)
Box to build model in
Model trees, etc. for the surroundings
How to make your volcano
1. For the quick demonstration, put the soda pop bottle in your sink. For the display dramatic model, build a mountain around the soda pop bottle.
2. Put the water, soap, food coloring and vinegar in the pop bottle.
3. Wrap the baking soda in the toilet tissue and twist the ends to make a little packet.
4. When you are ready to make the volcano erupt, drop the packet of soda into the bottle. The acid of the vinegar and the base of the baking soda combine to foam, froth and erupt.
For a nice volcano model, use grey clay to build the cone, and add red clay in rivulets down the side to look like lava streams.
Note: If this project is for a science fair, be advised that there are always models of volcanoes at science fairs, and judges tend to see them as being common and uncreative. Not to discourage you from building one, just to let you know.
Have pictures or video of your volcano? Send us some pictures!