Science Club

Science club was demonstrating a range of chemical reactions that produce gas. Pupils used film canisters partially filled with water; they added a small dissolvable tablet, closed the lid and quickly placed the canister on a flat surface. Pupils were able to see that enough gas is produced to over pressurise the canister and cause the cap to pop off high into the air. Some pupils turned the canister upside down as to allow the canister itself to fly into the air like a miniature rocket!

Other experiments showed how gas pressure changes in diet cola when Mentos are added. The sweets force millions of tiny bubbles to form very rapidly and cause a lovely foam geyser to erupt from the bottle. The next example was the display of “Elephant Toothpaste”. This experiment shows a rapid exothermic reaction between chemicals that turns Hydrogen Peroxide into water by releasing Oxygen Gas.  The reaction occurs in a mixture containing lots of washing up liquid resulting in a large foam eruption from the lemonade bottle. Our final demonstration showcased the explosive properties of some gases. Chemicals were mixed in a flask and a small amount of gas was collected in a balloon, which we then (at a safe distance) exposed, to a naked flame… BOOM!