This is an old favorite that’s a staple at science fairs. (Be sure to supervise young children.)
The Ingredients needed are as follows:
Cardboard
3 (4 ounce) plastic cups
Plaster-of-Paris
1⁄4 cup vinegar
Few drops of hand dishwashing liquid
Few drops of water
Few drops of red food coloring
1 teaspoon ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda
On baking sheet (or other easily cleaned surface), shape cardboard into broad cone shape using a cup to form a “crater” at the top of the volcano.
Use Plaster-of-Paris over the cone to form the volcano (do not get plaster into the crater). Allow volcano to dry completely.
Paint or decorate volcano as desired.
Mix vinegar with dishwashing liquid, water, and red food coloring in a plastic cup.
Put ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda into a small, empty plastic cup. Place this cup inside the volcano crater.
Quickly pour vinegar mixture into the ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda cup in the crater. Enjoy the “lava” as the volcano erupts!
EXPLANATION : The ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda reacts with the vinegar in the mixture and produces a gas: carbon dioxide (CO2). The gas releases bubbles through the dishwashing liquid and food coloring, creating the bubbly, red lava.