Title: Volcanoes Erupt!
Designed by:
Lisa Ferleger
Temple University: College of Education
Summary Purpose
of this Inquiry Lesson
•This is a classic experiment that combines a few household items to
simulate the eruption of a volcano.
•The students will learn that by mixing baking soda and vinegar, a
chemical reaction occurs which produces a gas called carbon dioxide,
which is the same gas released in real-life volcanoes.
•For this experiment, the students will see how changing the
variables, or amount of baking soda or vinegar effect the outcome of
the eruption.
•The students will make predictions on how long each volcano will
erupt and use a timer or stopwatch to record the actual data.
Materials
Step 1: Students will gather all of the needed materials
Step 2: Students make write the three amounts of
baking soda and vinegar in their data table
Step 3: Students make a prediction of how long each volcano will erupt
Step 4: Students will use measuring spoon and funnel to
pour desired amount baking soda into each bottle
Step 5: Students will add dish soap to each bottle
Step 6: Student add about 20-30 drops or one
splash of food coloring to each bottle
Step 7: Students pour desired amount of vinegar into a measuring cup or other
container
Step 8: Have your timer ready!
Step 9: Students use the funnel and
pour the desired amount of vinegar
(Repeat steps 4-9 for each trial)
Trial One!
1 tbsp. Baking Soda
2 tbsp. Vinegar
Trial Two!
1 tbsp. Baking Soda
1 tbsp. Vinegar
Trial Three!
1 tbsp. Baking Soda
3 tbsp. Vinegar
Student Sample: Data Table
Student Sample: Chart of the Data
Links to Internet Resources for this
Inquiry Picture Lesson:
• www.LearningScience.org
• Create a Graph
• http://www.how-things-work-scienceprojects.com/erupting-volcano.html
To see other picture lessons go to…
http://science-inquiry.wikispaces.com/