• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Menu
  • Science Experiments For Kids
  • Science Fair Projects
  • Preschool Science
  • Science Facts
  • Printable Experiments
  • Science Sparks Books
  • Science Questions
  • Contact Me
Science Experiments for Kids
Menu
  • STEM Challenges
  • Early Years Science
    • Preschool Science
    • Sensory and Messy Play
    • Understanding of the World
    • Pirate Science Experiments
  • Primary Science
    • Baking Soda Experiments
    • Candy Experiments
    • Biology for Kids
    • Climate Change for Kids
    • Coding for Kids
    • Chemistry for kids
    • Electricity for Kids
    • Magic Science Experiments
    • Harry Potter Experiments
    • Human Body Science
    • Air Pressure Experiments
    • Life Cycles
    • LEGO Science Experiments
    • Kitchen Science
    • Famous Scientists
    • Forces and Motion
    • Science Sparks Snippets
    • Key Stage 1 Science
      • Animals
      • Everyday Materials
      • Plants
      • Coding Activities
      • Humans and Health
      • Fine Motor skills
      • Science and Literacy
    • Key Stage 2 Science
      • Animals, Including Humans
      • Electricity
      • Light
      • Plants
      • Materials and their Properties
  • Key Stage 3
  • Holiday Science
    • Christmas Science
    • Halloween Science
    • Easter Science
  • Storybook Themed Science Experiments
  • Wonderful Women in STEM
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • FREE Experiments
  • Science for Kids
    • Kitchen Science
    • Climate Change
    • Egg Experiments
    • Fairy Tale Science
    • Edible Science
    • Human Health
    • Chemistry
    • Inspirational Women
    • Forces and Motion
  • Science Fair Projects
  • STEM Challenges
  • Science Sparks Books
  • Contact Science Sparks
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Baking Soda Popper

    Baking Soda Popper

    September 12, 2013 By Emma Vanstone 4 Comments

    The lovely Mummy Barrow recently sent me a link to a fab YouTube video of Steve Spangler  popping film canisters on the Ellen show. I had been intending to pick up some canisters on my next shopping trip, but yesterday 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 decided to try some baking soda and vinegar instead.

    Baking soda popper

    How to make a Baking Soda Popper

    What you need

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

    Baking Soda Popper Imstructions

    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 and 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 off at speed. Make sure all little and big people are well out of the way.

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

    Last Updated on February 14, 2020 by Emma Vanstone

    « More magnetism with a spooky ghost
    Baking Soda Powered Boat »

    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

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    What are you looking for?

    JOIN US!

    Get new experiments straight into your inbox every week!!

    Thank you!

    You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

    .

    Copyright © 2022 Science Experiments for Kids on the Foodie Pro Theme