In this experiment, Aya learned how to make a “volcano” erupt right at our own kitchen! For this experiment, you will need the following:

1. two small plastic drinks bottles (PET bottles will do just fine)
2. large piece of cardboard
3. vinegar
4. bicarbonate of soda (for those in Japan, look for 重曹 (juusou), which is Nihonggo for baking soda)
5. tablespoon and teaspoon
6. food coloring
7. washing-up liquid
8. large plate or tray
9. funnel
10. pen or pencil
11. scissors, tape

Aya cut out the shape drawn onto the cardboard. This should be big enough to fit around the bottle.

The cardboard will then be bent into a cone, and secured with tape. In this pic, we tried fitting the cardboard onto the mouth of the bottle just to check if it fits.

Using a funnel, the bottle was filled with vinegar until it is about one-third full. Add the food coloring (we used powdered coloring).

Add one tablespoon of washing-up liquid, and set aside.

Pour in three teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda into the other bottle. This should then be placed on a tray because this experiment will surely make a mess!

Place the card cone over the bottle with bicarbonate of soda. Using a funnel, pour in the vinegar and washing-up liquid mixture.

Whoa! A volcano eruption! Our experiment was a success! 🙂

Aya watched with fascination the last of the mixture still managing to ooze down the cone.

Explanation: When the vinegar and bicarbonate of soda mix together, they produce carbon dioxide gas. This, in turn, creates the bubles in the vinegar and the washing-up liquid. This mixture then expands and forces its way out of the top of the bottle.