purposeful play
Lemon Volcano Science Experiment for kids
stem activity for preschool-3rd grade
The Erupting Lemon Volcano Science Experiment for kids is a favorite in our house and is sure to become a favorite in your home as well!
Kids absolutely love any kind of baking soda and vinegar experiment. This lemon volcano experiment is no exception and is a colorful, hands-on way to explore early chemistry concepts.
The erupting lemon volcano demonstrates the effects of mixing a base (baking soda) with an acid (lemon juice) to produce a gas (carbon dioxide).
Continue reading for the step by step instructions and to shop this project!
materials needed
Lemons
Dish Soap
Baking Soda
Vinegar
purpose
Screen-free fun
Demonstrates cause and effect
Explore colors of the rainbow
Teaches basic chemical reactions of combining an acid and a base
directions
How to do the Lemon Volcano Science Experiment
Before you begin, roll the lemons to break up some of the lemon pulp-allowing for more juice to be released
Cut off both ends of the lemon (so they can lay flat in the tray)
Cut lemons in half
Place in a tray
Using a craft stick, break up the lemon pulp in each lemon half to release more of the lemon juice
Add a few drops of food coloring to each lemon half
Drizzle dish soap to the top of each lemon
-
Sprinkle baking soda to the tops of each lemon
-
You will begin to see a small reaction after you add the baking soda
-
Stir in the baking soda squeezing the lemon as you do
For a larger reaction fill a squeeze bottle with vinegar or lemon juice
Squeeze lemon juice or vinegar on the lemons
For a larger reaction fill a squeeze bottle with vinegar or lemon juice
Keep going until there is no longer or a reaction
What's the Science behind the Lemon Volcano Science Experiment?
It’s a chemical reaction
When a base and acid are mixed together- a gas called carbon dioxide is formed causing the bubbling reaction!
The Baking soda is the base
The Lemon is the acid
Chemistry
Chemical reaction
Base
Acid
Carbon dioxide
Gas
