Science Smarts: New Year’s poppers

By PATTY ROOKS on December 31, 2021.

Can you believe we are welcoming in the New Year tonight?! Oh my, where does the time go? I do not know about you, but I am not that well prepared to celebrate tonight, so I thought we could make some of our own “poppers.” Let’s get started!

Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

• Alka seltzer tablets

• Safety goggles

• Water

• Measuring spoons

• Location you can get messy!

• Film canister (as at the photo department)

Procedure

• Put on your safety goggles – when doing science experiments it is important to follow all safety recommendations.

• Take one alka seltzer tablet and break it into four pieces.

• Remove the lid from the film canister.

• Measure 30 mL of water and pour it into the film canister.

• You have to work quickly now – place one of the pieces of alka seltzer in the film canister. QUICKLY put the lid on it, turn it upside down and get out of the way.

• Observe.

•Repeat, OF COURSE!

What is going on?

The secret here is in that little tablet you placed in the water. If you used your observation skills, you would have noticed that the minute you placed this tablet in the water it began to fizz. This is because the tablet contains a mixture of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate. Once these chemicals are exposed to water, they begin to fizz and give off carbon dioxide gas. You are able to trap this gas in the film canister when you place the lid on it trapping it there. Since the gas cannot escape, it builds up so much that eventually the top pops off making a loud noise!

Happy New Year!

I am looking forward to seeing all of my students start their science fair projects after the break. If you need any help in your classroom, never hesitate to reach out – I would love to see your class (virtually or in person).

Patty Rooks, Senior Scientific Consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community”. Contact Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, http://www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. Address: #12 826 11 Street S. E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403-527-5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca.

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