Summer is here! That means you’ll be scrambling to find stuff to entertain the kids with. This is a great project and kept the kids busy for a while watching the dancing corn. You can use gummy worms, corn, or gummy bears, etc. Check out my video from when we did this with our co-op.
Basically the science behind the activity is that when the baking soda and vinegar combine, they react to form carbon dioxide (CO2) gas. The gas forms bubbles in the water which circle around the corn kernels. The bubbles lift the kernels up to the surface and when they get there they pop and the kernels sink again.
You Will Need:
- a clear glass container
- popping corn
- 2 1/2 – 3 cups of water
- 2 Tbsp. of baking soda
- 6 Tbsp. of white vinegar
- food coloring (optional)
That’s it! I told you you probably had it in your kitchen already.
Instructions:
- Fill your jar with water and add a couple drops of food coloring.
- Add your baking soda and stir well until it is all dissolved.
- Add a small handful of popping corn kernels.
- Add the vinegar and watch the corn start to hop up and down!