This volcano science project is fun and easy for children of all ages. Not only do you get to turn a lemon into a volcano and watch it erupt, you learn what happens when you mix an acid (lemon) with a base (baking soda). Remember this experiment is messy, which kids love however make sure you cover your work space. Follow the step-by-step directions below to make your very own lemon volcano and remember to have fun!
Click here to learn more about what happens when you mix and acid and a base.
Materials: paper plate, lemon, knife (adult use only), food coloring (1 color), dish soap, spoon, basking soda
Step 1: Have the adult cut the bottom of the lemon slightly so that it can stand upright. Don’t cut too deep or the juices will come out.
Step 2: Have the adult cut the top of the lemon off (cut a littler deeper so you can squeeze the juice out)
Step 3: Have the kids squeeze the juice out into a small bowl.
Step 4: Using the spoon, mix the inside of the lemon, so additional juice comes out and there is space to add the other ingredients.
Step 5: Add a couple of drops of food coloring.
Step 6: Add a small amount of dish soap (this will make the eruption more bubbly).
Step 7: Pour the lemon juice back into the lemon.
Step 8: Add a spoonful of baking soda and watch your volcano erupt (it will happen immediately). To get a bigger eruption you can have the children mix inside the lemon.
How does this happen? The baking soda is a base and the lemon is the acid. When they are combined they let out carbon dioxide which create the fizzing bubbles.
I also did this experiment adding the baking soda before the juice and it looked like this:
You can do the experiments both ways and see which way gives you a bigger eruption.
Click here for another volcano project
