How To Make A Volcano Explode

Download Article

Creating a model volcano and making it erupt is a fun science experiment that teaches kids about chemical reactions. There are several variations on this experiment. You can create the volcano with dough, insulating foam or paper mache, and you can also make the volcano erupt with baking soda or soda pop.

1

Find a plastic soda bottle. The size of your bottle will determine the size of your volcano.
2

Grab a square cardboard box that is as tall as your soda bottle. Cut out all the sides except 1, which you will use to support your bottle.

Advertisement
3
Tape the plastic bottle to the cardboard, both to the remaining side and to the bottom. Add some cardboard supports to make the bottle as sturdy as possible.
- Cut out several strips of cardboard that are 3 inches by 6 inches (7.5 by 15cm) for the supports.
- Tape them with masking tape, electrical tape or duct tape. Avoid packing tape because it is too slick.
4
Mix your dough. Combine 6 cups (0.75kg) of flour, 2 cups (0.58kg) of salt, 2 cups (0.47l) of water and 4 tbsp. (59ml) of cooking oil.^[1]
- Use your hands to knead the dough until smooth.
5

Pile the dough around the bottle to form a mountain. Allow it to dry once the volcano is sculpted.^[2]
6
Paint the dough with tempera paints.
- For example, you may want to paint the volcano brown with green near the bottom.
- Illustrate the eruption by painting red lava flows down the side. ^[3]
7

Place a funnel in the mouth of the volcano, so that it reaches into your plastic bottle. Add 2 tbsp. (28g) of baking soda.
8

Mix 1 tsp. (4.9ml) of dish soap, 1 oz. (29.6ml) of vinegar and several drops of red and yellow food coloring in a separate container.
9

Ready your volcano for the eruption. Pour in the vinegar mixture. Wait and watch as the vinegar and baking soda combine to form carbonic acid.
10

Remove the bottle through the top of the volcano or by disconnecting the supporting side of the cardboard from the dough. Empty it and start again.

Advertisement

1

Buy a 2 l (67.6oz) bottle of carbonated soda.
2
Make a cardboard tray and cut a hole in it that is equal to the size of the 2 l bottle.
- Use very sturdy cardboard for this tray.
- You can also use several thick sheets of cardboard for a stronger base.
3

Stick the bottle of soda into the cardboard support. Cover the portion of the bottle above the support with aluminum foil.
4
Buy a can of insulating foam for cracks. You want the kind that sprays with a foam and hardens.
- You may want to try Great Stuff Insulating Foam Sealant.
5

Spray around your bottle to create a mountain. Once your basic shape is formed, allow it to dry.
6

Paint the dried insulating foam after it has hardened.
7

Unscrew the lid on the soda bottle. Place a small piece of paper atop it.
8

Create a cylinder with another piece of paper. Drop 4 Mentos into the cylinder.
9
Ready your audience for the eruption. Quickly remove the paper that is lying flat over the top of the soda bottle. The 4 Mentos should pour into the bottle starting the explosion. ^[4]
- The porous surface of the Mentos causes the rapid formation of carbon dioxide. This chemical reaction produces foam. ^[5]
- Remove your 2 l bottle of soda from the bottom of the cardboard. Insert another bottle and do it again.
Advertisement

Add New Question

Question

How are islands formed with volcanic eruption?

Jeddy Buenconsejo

Community Answer

Islands are formed when underwater volcanoes erupt repeatedly. The water cools the molten rock and causes it to solidify. As the volcano erupts again and again, layers of rock are added until it builds up enough to emerge from the water.
Question

How long will it take to erupt?

When you pour the vinegar, it should only take a few seconds.
Question

What ingredient do I need to put first in order for the volcano to work?

If you want a quick eruption, put in the baking soda first. If you want a slow eruption, put the vinegar first.
Question

Why do volcanoes erupt?

The fundamental concept of an eruption is that an increase in pressure on the chamber lid causes the magma to be released from beneath it. However, there are variances in the cause of this magma movement and the type of eruption generated.
Question

What happens when a volcano erupts?

Volcanoes are incredibly complex geological systems. They are capable of generating many dangerous effects in the form of lava flows, fallout, and lahars – as well as associated hazards such as seismic shocks, tsunamis, or landslides.

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Although dough and insulating foam create a quick volcano, you can make your volcano using paper maché for either the baking soda or Mentos method. Mix a combination of water and glue. Dip strips of paper into it and smooth them over your bottle and supports. Repeat until the volcano is formed. Allow it to dry overnight before painting it.

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Things You'll Need

Plastic bottle
Cardboard box
Scissors/box cutter
Tape
Flour
Salt
Water
Cooking oil
Bowl
Tempera paints
Paint brushes
Baking soda
Vinegar
Dish soap
Food coloring
Cardboard sheets
Aluminum foil
2 l bottles of soda
Mentos
Insulating foam
Paper
Papier mache mix (water and glue)
Newspaper

About This Article

Article SummaryX

To make a volcano erupt, start by securing a bottle of soda to a cardboard tray. Then, spray insulating foam around the soda bottle to create a mountain, and wait for it to harden. Next, paint the dried insulating foam so it looks like a volcano, and attach a paper cylinder to the very top. Finally, drop a few Mentos into the paper cylinder so they fall into the bottle of soda, and wait for the eruption. To learn how to make a volcano erupt with baking soda and dough, keep reading!

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 40,593 times.