Do you know why pop rocks pop? We’re going to find out in this easy kitchen science investigation.
Why Popping Candy ( Pop Rocks) Pops
We all tried the popping candy first and giggled as it burst tickling our tongues.
Pop Rocks Experiment
We decided to see what else would make the candy burst, so placed some in oil, water and vinegar.
What you need:
- Popping candy / Pop rocks
- 3 bowls
- Oil
- Water
- Vinegar
- Anything else you want to try
Instructions
- Open the pop rocks and place a small amount in each bowl.
- Add water to one, oil to another and vinegar to the third.
- Observe what happens.
We found the candy in the oil didn’t do anything.
The candy in the water fizzed and bubbled.
The candy in the vinegar fizzed and bubbled faster than that in the water.
Why does popping candy pop?
Pop rocks are made by heating the ingredients and then exposing to Carbon Dioxide ( a gas ) at very high pressures before allowing to cool. Tiny bubbles of gas are trapped in the popping candy.
When you put the candy in your mouth, saliva breaks it down and releases the carbon dioxide, which makes a popping sound.
The water acted like saliva to break down the candy and release the bubbles.
The oil didn’t break down the candy, therefore it remained intact.
Vinegar is acidic, and so reacted faster than the water with the candy.
More Pop Rocks Experiments
Can you think of another experiment? How about a fizzy drink?
Can you design something to keep the pop rocks safe under water?
For more kitchen science ideas try on of our 50 kitchen science experiments!
Last Updated on May 26, 2021 by Emma Vanstone
Trisha @ Inspiration Laboratories
Candy experiments are always so much fun! Love this one!
TheBoyandMe
That’s a pretty clever activity, love the introduction to chemisty (which I’m rubbish at!)
HELEN
I bought some popping candy a while ago to use in baking but I don’t know what to use it in to make sure it doesn’t pop…I think the only thing is chocolate – I wasn’t sure why, maybe the oil content? never was much good at science!
JDaniel4's Mom
This looks like such fun! What an interesting set of experiments.
Keitha
My son would love to try this. Thanks for sharing it.
Miss Courtney
My son had Pop rocks for the first time. The look on his face was priceless! I would definitely want to try the fizzy drink. It was a myth when I was growing up that if you ate the candy while drinking soda, your head would explode.
Tulip
What a fun science experiment! I love popping candy and have always wondered how they make it. Thanks for sharing!
Loralee
I have an experiment about putting Pop Rocks in water on my website, and I love the ways you’ve extended it with the oil and vinegar.
ScienceSparks
Thank you 🙂
maggy, red ted art
Oooh thank you! Now there is a question that I WILL Have be answering!
Thank you for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy