Making a volcano out of a soda bottle is a classic science experiment, which at the same time gives you a valid reason to make an explosive mess. There are several combinations of ingredients that will cause a fun explosion. Two of the classic methods for making a soda bottle volcano use a combination of soda and Mentos (which can produce a five-meter-high explosion if done right) or baking soda and vinegar. With a few household items, you can spend a nice afternoon watching the volcano erupt in the backyard.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Designing a Volcano
Step 1. Make a base for the volcano
You can use a plastic cutting board, a piece of board, or another stable flat surface. Do not use cardboard as it is too thin to withstand the weight of the volcano.
If you're using leftover materials, consider decorating the base of the volcano so it looks like a flat landscape. You can paint it, cover it with moss, attach a green flannel so it resembles grass, add a mini tree, and so on
Step 2. Place an unopened two-liter soda bottle on the bottom
Since the soda bottle will be the center of the volcano, you'll want to make sure the bottle is in the center of the base. How to attach the bottle to the base will depend on the base material used. If you are using a cutting board, place a lump of clay or Play Dough on the cutting board and gently press the bottle against the clay to hold it in place. If your choice falls on a piece of board, use plastic or wood glue.
- Caramel-colored soda is perhaps most similar to the lava released by a volcano when it erupts. You should not choose clear soda. Sugar-free soda (diet soda) and regular soda can be used for this experiment, but sugar-free soda produces a higher pop.
- To be able to attach the bottle to the base, wait until the soda bottle reaches room temperature. A cold, sweaty bottle will have a hard time sticking to it. Do not use hot glue as it will melt the bottle and the contents will flow everywhere.
- If you choose a vinegar and baking soda combination, stick the empty bottle to the base.
Step 3. Make a volcano around the bottle
For a textured mountain surface, shape the mosquito net into a wavy cone around the bottle. Cover the surface of the mosquito net with papier mâché. In addition to papier mâché, you can use clay. To make the mountain look natural, form Play Dough (choose a color that matches the surface of the mountain) or clay around the bottle.
Be careful not to cover the bottle cap or you won't be able to activate the volcano. You need to be able to access the mouth of the bottle to put in the Mentos or baking soda so it can create a pop
Step 4. Paint the volcano
After the papier mâché has dried, use acrylic paint to paint the volcano (the paint also protects the surface from moisture). Choose brown and orange around the top of the mountain and add a bit of green to resemble grass.
You can also add gravel, earth, and moss to the surface so that the mountain looks more natural
Method 2 of 3: Using the Soda and Mentos Method
Step 1. Prepare the materials needed
To make a volcano with this method, you will need a 2 liter bottle of cola, mint flavored Mentos, and a large open area. Sugar-free colas produce better eruptions (and are also less sticky than soda can). Caramel-colored soda looks like real “lava” when it erupts compared to clear lemon-flavoured soda.
This experiment is best done outdoors. If you need to do this indoors, lay out a large plastic sheet first
Step 2. Place the volcano in a large open area outdoors and open a soda bottle
Try not to do this experiment indoors as it will create a big sticky mess. Also make sure the outdoor area is not confined by a cover because soda can spit out quite a lot of eruptions. Open the soda bottle cap.
Warn the audience to back off
Step 3. Prepare a roll of Mentos to be inserted into the bottle
When Mentos comes into contact with soda there is a reaction that causes carbon dioxide gas to push the liquid out of the bottle. The more Mentos you put in the bottle at once, the bigger the eruption. However, its implementation may be difficult. There are a few different ways to get Mentos in a bottle.
- Method 1: Make a paper tube according to the size of the neck of the bottle. Place a card or card-sized cardboard over the mouth of the bottle, place the tube over the hole and fill with Mentos. When you're ready to pop, simply pull the card to release the Mentos into the bottle.
- Method 2: Loosely wrap the entire contents of the Mentos with tape. Once the time comes, all you have to do is drop the Mentos series through the mouth of the bottle.
- Method 3: Attach a funnel with a hole large enough for the Mentos to pass through, but can also be inserted into the neck of the bottle. You'll drop the Mentos into the bottle through the funnel and quickly lift the funnel once the Mentos enter.
Step 4. Release the Mentos into the bottle and run away from the volcano
It's quite difficult to drop all the Mentos candies at once into the bottle. If the implementation is not correct, the volcano only produces bursts of only a few inches. It would be better if you practice first to get all the Mentos in the bottle at once before thwarting your experiment. Once the Mentos are successfully loaded into the bottle, run a few meters away so you can admire the eruption!
- If you choose the paper tube method. Pull the card holding the Mentos so that all the candy goes into the bottle at once.
- If you choose the masking tape method, you can simply drop a series of Mentos tape-taped onto the mouth of the bottle.
- If you choose the funnel method, drop all the Mentos into the funnel at the same time. Quickly lift the funnel as soon as the Mentos gets into the bottle and run away.
Method 3 of 3: Using the Baking Soda and Vinegar Method
Step 1. Prepare the materials needed
To make a volcano with this method, you will need 400 ml of vinegar, 200 ml of water, a little liquid dish soap, a large spoonful of baking soda, an empty 2 liter soda bottle, and red food coloring.
- Do a little experiment to find the right proportions of each ingredient so you can get the level of spray you want.
- Use red wine vinegar to get the best lava color. Alternatively, add red or orange food coloring to the white vinegar.
- You can use a smaller plastic bottle, but remember to adjust the amount of ingredients used.
Step 2. Mix vinegar, water and liquid dish soap
Use red wine vinegar for the best lava color. Alternatively, you can also add red or orange food coloring to the white vinegar. Liquid soap works to break the tension on the surface of the water, creating a bigger eruption.
Step 3. Place the volcano on a plastic-covered table or on a linoleum floor
This method will not cause as much mess as the Mentos method. However, you don't need to brush the carpet to clean up experimental residue.
If the weather permits, place the volcano outdoors
Step 4. Add a spoonful of baking soda to the mixture
The baking soda will react with the vinegar mixture and make a volcano erupt! If you want a bigger bang, add more vinegar and baking soda.
Warning
- If you drink soda and then munch on Mentos, there's no need to worry. The acid in your mouth and stomach will prevent the candy from reacting with the soda in your stomach.
- Do not use 3 or 1 liter soda bottles because the ratio of the neck to the contents of the bottle is too large. The 3 liter bottle produces a jet of approximately 15 cm high and the 1 liter bottle produces only foam on the surface.
- Stay away from the area around the volcano after starting the experiment. There will be a pleasant mess.
