Pop the Cork

This demonstration is as close to non-fail as you can get, but it never hurts to practice once or twice beforehand.

Objectives

Children ages 4-5 can answer questions classifying and organizing objects according to form, use, and materials Lang. IIA
and ages 1-1 ½ years can name common objects by pointing or vocalizing Lang. IB
All children participating will learn to stay with and activity for a long period of time SE III

Materials

Empty bottle with tight fitting cork; vinegar; baking soda; funnel; balloon.

 

Procedures

1. Seat the children so that they will all be able to observe the demonstration. Show and describe the materials. Let children smell and touch the vinegar and baking soda. Narrate the procedures as you conduct the demonstration.

2. Using the funnel, put about 2 tablespoons of baking soda in the bottle. Add vinegar, remove the funnel, and quickly put the cork in the bottle.

3. Call attention to the bubbles forming in the bottle. Watch the cork pop out.

4. Ask the children to try to figure out why the cork popped out. Encourage ideas and suggestions. Remind the children of the bubbles. Explain that the vinegar and baking soda, when mixed, make a kind of air called carbon dioxide. The air, carbon dioxide, in the bottle needs more room, pushes on the cork, and finally pushes it out of the bottle. Let the kids smell the air in the bottle. They will probably still smell vinegar.

5. Repeat the demonstration-- pop the cork!

6. Try the procedure again using water instead of vinegar. (It shouldn't work. If it does, stop drinking tap water!)

7. Repeat with vinegar and baking soda.

8. Use a balloon instead of a cork. Watch the balloon blow up.