Chemistry - Carbon dioxide

In this MEL Academy lesson your child will:

• learn the nature of carbon dioxide gas
• make bubbles levitate with their own hands
• perform a foam eruption (totally safe!)

Lesson time

7:00am	PST	(San Francisco, Seattle, ...)
8:00am	MST	(Phoenix, Denver, ...)
9:00am	CST	(Chicago, Houston, ...)
10:00am	EST	(New York, Toronto, ...)
3:00pm	GMT	(London, ...)

Lesson duration: 45-55 minutes.

Prepare in advance

In this lesson, we will conduct "Levitating bubbles and sinking balloon" DIY experiments. Prepare in advance household materials shown below.

  2x party balloons
  empty clear 2ltr bottle
  sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
  clear vinegar (approx 1ltr) or 2-3 tablespoons of citric acid dissolved in 200ml water
  water
  funnel
  large deep bowl or plastic basin
  bubble blowing mix

Worksheet

Please, download and print this worksheet in advance. You’ll need to refer to it during the lesson.

MEL Experiment

If you are a subscriber of MEL Chemistry then you can conduct Foam eruption from the Chemistry of monsters chemistry set:

Tutor

This lesson is presented by Daniel Sullivan:

Daniel Sullivan is a hugely enthusiastic and experienced ex-head of science with over 20 years of teaching experience. He is now running a science teacher training company and is looking forward to engaging with students once again.