Simple science experiments are tons of fun to do with kids at home or in the classroom. This pop rocks and soda experiment is a fun twist on the classic baking soda volcano experiment. With the power of chemical reactions, children can inflate a balloon using pop rocks!
Speaking of fun science activities, be sure to check out my Exploding Ziploc Bag Science Experiment for Kids as well! Show the kids that science is tons of fun!
Pop Rocks and Soda Experiment
The really great thing about making this pop rocks and coke experiment are that the kids will be intrigued and part of the process. It’s no secret that fizzing experiments are some of the best!
If you’re wondering what truly happens when pop rocks are mixed with soda, this science pop rocks experiment will show you!
Supplies need for this pop rocks and soda experiment
You only need a few things to do this experiment! You will need:
- Diet soda in a plastic bottle
- Regular soda in a plastic bottle
- Poprocks
- Balloons
How does the pop rocks and soda experiment work?
Poprocks are a hard candy made of sugar and flavoring. The candies are filled with a small amount of carbon dioxide. When the sugary shell melts, the candies “pop” and release the carbon dioxide gas into the air.
When the pop rocks are dropped into the soda, the soda melts the candies and the carbon dioxide is released. Since soda also contains carbon dioxide, the candy pulls some of the carbon dioxide from the soda into the air, which inflates the balloon.
How much the balloon expands is based on how many pop rocks are added to the balloon, how fresh the soda is, and what type of soda it is.
We found that diet soda created a bigger reaction than regular soda but this is where the kids can create a hypothesis and try different flavors of soda.
How to do the pop rocks and soda experiment
First, open the neck of a balloon as wide as you can with your fingers. Take care not to break the balloon while doing this or you’ll have to throw out the balloon and get a new one.
The balloon must make an airtight seal around the neck of the bottle to work. Because of this, have a few more balloons on hand than you think you will need.
Pour two bags of pop rocks into the balloon. Repeat with a second balloon.
Open the two soda bottles.
While holding the pop rocks inside of the bigger part of the balloon, carefully slide the neck of the balloon over the top of the bottle.
Again, if the balloon rips, you’ll have to start over with a new balloon.
Tip the pop rocks from inside the balloon into the soda. Try to do this at the same time with regular soda and diet soda.
Watch as the balloon expands.
For an even bigger reaction, shake the soda gently to release more carbon dioxide into the balloon.
Follow Up Pop Rocks Experiment Questions for the Kids
- Did the diet soda or regular soda create a bigger reaction (by blowing the balloon up to more)?
- Do you think that changing the type of soda used changed the outcome?
As you can see, STEM experiments and science activities for kids like this one are a great way to help them learn and have fun at the same time.
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