Have you ever mixed vinegar and baking soda and watched it fizz and foam. This basic science project is an example of a chemical reaction. In a chemical reaction, two or more different molecules react with one another and form new molecules. In this case, vinegar (acetic acid) reacts with the baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to form carbon dioxide gas. This gas is what forms the bubbles in the reaction.
Chemical reactions like this happen all the time. When food is digested and silver tarnishes, a chemical reaction has taken place. Sometimes these reactions create more than new molecules. Sometimes, they create heat. This type of chemical reaction is called an exothermic reaction. Try this simple experiment to produce and observe an exothermic reaction.
Chemical Reaction Science Experiment
Gather these supplies to get your experiment started.
- steel wool
- 2 glass beakers or 1 beaker and one small glass bowl
- thermometer
- vinegar
Place a small piece of steel wool in beaker or small glass bowl. Cover the steel wool with vinegar and let it set for one minute. Remove the steel wool and gently squeeze out any excess vinegar.
Wrap the steel wool around the base of the thermometer and place the thermometer into the glass beaker. Cover the beaker with a paper towel or a lid to trap the heat inside.
Record the starting temperature and then record the temperature every 30 seconds for 5 minutes. Note any changes to the beaker or its contents.
What Happened?
Steel wool contains iron. When iron is exposed to oxygen, rust forms. Rust is a product of a chemical reaction between iron and oxygen.
Steel Wool has a protective coating that keeps oxygen from coming into contact with the iron. Vinegar contains acetic acid which removes this coating. When the protective coating is removed, oxygen in the atmosphere can reach the iron in the steel wool and a chemical reaction called oxidation occurs. Rust is created.
This reaction is also an exothermic reaction. It creates heat energy. You should be able to read the increase in temperature on the thermometer. You might, also, notice condensation on the sides of your beaker. This is caused by the increase in the temperature inside the beaker.
Experiment Further
You can experiment further by trying this with liquids other than vinegar. Try water, milk, or orange juice. You can also vary the amount of steel wool or the size of the beaker. Note the differences and try to determine why those differences occurred.
Fun Science Experiments for Kids
- DIY Lava Lamp
- Grow Your Own Crystals
- Egg Geode Science Experiment
- Science Fun – Water Coaster
- Forensic Science for Kids
- How to Make a Lemon Clock
- Make Edible Rocks
- Jello Animal Cells
Marci is a Christian wife, homeschool mom, science geek, softball coach, hockey mom and blogger, who needs her morning coffee, hair done and make-up on before attempting of those things. You can find her blogging at The Homeschool Scientist
