Dancing Corn Kernels
Are you ready for an experiment that turns your kitchen into a little magic workshop? This time, it's about corn kernels that suddenly start to dance! With simple ingredients, you can watch how the corn kernels move up and down. It's really exciting! So grab your materials and let's get started!
What you'll need
- A large jar
- Water
- One tablespoon of baking soda
- Vinegar
- Dried corn kernels (popcorn corn)
- A spoon
How it works
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First, fill the jar with water. Leave enough space at the top so it doesn't overflow. Now add about one tablespoon of baking soda to the water and stir well until the baking soda is dissolved.
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Now throw a handful of corn kernels into the jar. They will sink to the bottom at first, but don't worry, it won't stay that way for long. The corn kernels are ready for their big dance!
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Now comes the exciting part: Pour a splash of vinegar into the jar. Watch out, it might fizz! The bubbles rise and gather around the corn kernels. The corn kernels start to move and slowly lift up. When the bubbles pop, the corn kernels sink back down.
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But don't worry, it starts all over again immediately! Now you can watch your corn kernels dive up and down in the jar. The reaction between baking soda and vinegar creates small gas bubbles (carbon dioxide) that attach to the corn kernels and lift them up.
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As soon as the bubbles pop, the corn kernels fall back to the bottom. And the fun starts again! With this experiment, you can explore how gas bubbles move the corn kernels. A real dance spectacle and an exciting lesson in chemistry!
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Feel free to show your dancing corn kernels to your friends or siblings. Maybe you'll even come up with more ideas on how to change the experiment.
What kids learn from this
- Curiosity & scientific thinking
