CHEMISTRY EXPERIMENT

Magic balloons

What you'll need

• Plastic bottle
• Balloon
• 2 funnels
• Baking soda
• Vinegar

What you'll do

1. Using a funnel, fill the bottle 1/3 full with vinegar.
2. Using the second funnel, fill the balloon 1/2 full with baking soda.
3. Carefully cover the top of the bottle with the balloon, not letting the baking soda spill.
4. When you're ready, lift the balloon and let the baking soda fall into the vinegar.
5. Look closely, and you can see the mixture fizz, bubble and expand the balloon.
6. You'll need a new balloon and will need to wash out the bottle to repeat this experiment.

Smart science tip^The chemical reaction between baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and vinegar (acetic acid) produces carbon dioxide gas. Gases need room to spread, so the carbon dioxide fills the bottle and then moves into the balloon and inflates it