By Sara Thompson
Image credit is Sara Thompson
Special to the Enterprise
Fall is in full swing and fall produce is in abundance, including apples. This home experiment is simple and fun, and perfect for those that enjoy getting messy.
Materials: Tray or dish, apples, baking soda, vinegar, knife, dish soap (optional), food coloring (optional).
Instructions: Place the apple in the tray or dish to catch any of the mess. Have an adult use the knife to cut a hole in the apple, going about halfway down into the apple. Add a couple of spoonsful of baking soda into the hole, make sure it is not overflowing, however. Pat it down if needed. If desired add a few drops dish soap and/or food coloring to the baking soda for a more colorful reaction.
Using either a cup or a dropper, pour vinegar into the apple and watch the reaction take place! The vinegar and baking soda react and create gas bubbles of carbon dioxide, which will foam over the apple top and over the edge. Sitting in a tray or dish will make clean up easier.
Variations: Take this experiment further and try different acids such as different types of vinegar or lemon juice. Try it with and without the dish soap. Mix the food coloring with the solids or the liquids first and see if that changes how the colors turn out. Pour the acid in all at once for one big reaction or use droppers to make several smaller ones. Instead of cutting a single hole in the apple, make several smaller ones, or carve a face like a small jack-o-lantern. There are many ways to keep the fun going with this home experiment.
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Celebrate your birthday at Explorit! Offered Saturdays and Sundays between 2-4pm, this two hour program includes themed group activities and crafts, a decorated party room, and exclusive access to Explorit’s Exploration Gallery. Themes include Amazing Animals and Dynamic Dinosaurs. Call 530-756-0191 to reserve. More information found at https://www.explorit.org/birthday-parties.
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