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Home » Early Years Science » Baking Soda Popper

Baking Soda Popper

Modified: Oct 16, 2023 · Published: Sep 12, 2013 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

After watching this YouTube video of Steve Spangler popping film canisters on the Ellen Show, I knew I wanted to give it a go. I had been intending to pick up some canisters on my next shopping trip, but yesterday, I spotted a little effervescent tablet container in the cupboard. I didn’t want to waste the tablets and didn’t have any Alka Seltzer, so I decided to try some baking soda and vinegar instead.

Baking soda popper, baking soda and vinegar

How to make a Baking Soda Popper

What you need

  • A container with a lid
  • Vinegar
  • Baking Soda
  • Kitchen Roll

Baking Soda Popper Instructions

I added about a cm of vinegar to the bottom of the canister, dropped in a little baking soda, put on the lid and stepped back. The top flew off almost immediately.

To try and slow the reaction down, I wrapped the baking soda in a small piece of kitchen towel, which gave me enough time to put the canister down and grab a camera.

Remember to stand back straight away as these fly with a bang!

Baking Soda Popper Challenge

Can you try turning the canister upside down and popping the canister rather than the lid?

Baking soda popper - fun science for kids

Why does a baking soda popper work?

Baking Soda is alkaline and reacts with acids like vinegar, releasing carbon dioxide ( a gas ) and water. The carbon dioxide gas builds up behind the lid of the canister.  The gas has nowhere to go and is constantly being released by the reaction between vinegar and baking soda.  More and more bits of gas squeeze into the tube, jostling with each other.  The pressure builds and builds until suddenly, the lid of the canister can’t take it any more and explodes off the main body.  

The timing is fairly random, so taking a good picture can be frustratingly hard.  Can you take a photo of the lid popping off? I’d love to see it if you can.

* Be very careful with this activity. The top of the canister shoots up at speed. Make sure all little and big people are well out of the way.

If you like this activity, you’ll love my full collection of baking soda and vinegar science experiments!

Fun Baking Soda Popper - use baking soda and vinegar to make a canister POP!! #scienceforkids #funscience

Last Updated on October 16, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

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Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mummy Barrow

    September 12, 2013 at 8:44 am

    Oh how fabulous!!! I love this.

    I am going to keep suitable canisters from now on.

    Not so I can do it but so I can bring them all around to you for you to do it! I want to recreate the scene on the Ellen show where they did 2000 of them!

    So simple, but such fun.

    Thanks for having a go.

    Reply
  2. Anya from Older Single Mum and The Healer

    September 12, 2013 at 6:47 pm

    Brilliant – looks like enormous fun and am going to keep suitable canisters too 🙂

    Reply
  3. Trisha @ Inspiration Laboratories

    September 12, 2013 at 8:25 pm

    Nicely done! I was wondering if baking soda and vinegar would work for film canisters. Now we know!

    Reply
  4. Emma

    September 16, 2013 at 8:48 pm

    My children would love doing this. Rummaging through the cupboards now for suitable containers.

    Reply

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