| Yep. It’s that time of year again. New | | | | absorbs most of the heat and allows the rubber to |
| backpacks, new shoes, #2 pencils, those great | | | | maintain its quintessential properties as container for |
| ‘nova-smelling’ 10¢ notebooks and | | | | the water and air that is inside the balloon. |
| oh yeah----homework. Sure, as a parent you realize | | | | Note: This blow up balloon experiment is a great lead-in |
| that homework is good for your child but even as you | | | | for discussing the properties of water. |
| profess the advantages of dedication and a liberal | | | | The Vinegar and Baking Soda Blow Up Balloon |
| education there is also a part of you that empathizes | | | | Experiment |
| with the bad-tempered, grumpy complaints that will | | | | Everybody knows about the vinegar/baking soda blow |
| surely emanate from your child’s bedroom | | | | up balloon experiment but this experiment is always a |
| every time he or she contemplates the completion of | | | | thrill for the child who hasn’t seen it yet. For this |
| another boring assignment. As a parent however, you | | | | experiment you will need the following items: |
| can easily remind your child that learning really can be | | | | - A glass bottle (preferably with a thin aperture) |
| enjoyable and maybe even a little crazy. You might | | | | - A balloon (a latex balloon will work nicely) |
| even help your child polish off a few science | | | | - Vinegar |
| assignments without any ‘foreseeable’ | | | | - Water |
| pain. | | | | - Baking soda |
| Try the following blow up balloon experiments with | | | | - A funnel (for this blow up balloon experiment, you |
| your child and his or her laughter will outweigh any | | | | can use a straw in place of a funnel if necessary) |
| ‘homework tears’. | | | | For this blow up balloon experiment, allow the child to |
| The Fireproof Big Balloon Experiment | | | | pour one inch of vinegar and one inch of water into |
| For this experiment you will need: | | | | the bottle. Then, allow the child to use the funnel to fill |
| - 2 balloons (use big balloons for better visibility if you | | | | the balloon half full of baking soda. (If the balloon you |
| are working with more than one child) | | | | are using is a big balloon, you might want to use less |
| - several matches | | | | baking soda or find a larger glass bottle). Then, allow |
| - ¼-1/2 cup of water (use ½ cup if the | | | | the child to attach the mouth of the balloon over the |
| balloon is large) | | | | bottle aperture and show him or her how to let the |
| Blow up the first balloon until the balloon is | | | | balloon hang to the side of the bottle so that no baking |
| semi-transparent. Place 1/4 -1/2 cup water in the | | | | soda enters the bottle and makes contact with the |
| second balloon and blow it up until it is the same size | | | | vinegar and water mixture. Finally, allow the child to lift |
| as the first balloon. With your assistance, allow your | | | | the balloon up, causing the baking soda to fall into the |
| child to light a match and place it under the first balloon. | | | | bottle, making contact with the vinegar/water mixture. |
| This ‘blow up balloon’ should explode | | | | Then, watch as your child is amazed as the reaction |
| almost immediately as the rubber begins to absorb the | | | | between the vinegar and the baking soda makes a |
| heat making it difficult for the rubber’s changing | | | | blow up balloon! |
| properties to resist the air pressure from the inside of | | | | Note: This experiment is also a great idea for a |
| the balloon. Next, allow the child to light another match | | | | science experiment birthday party. Allow the children |
| under the second balloon (two matches may be | | | | at the party to go from one experiment to another or |
| required if the balloon is a large one). This balloon | | | | create experiment relays. Just make sure to bring |
| should not explode, as the water inside of the balloon | | | | aprons! |