| There are generally two types of changes: physical | | | | mints remain suspended in the empty space of the |
| change and chemical change. The Seltzer Pressure | | | | bottle just above the level of the soda. Your apparatus |
| Rocket experiment, whereby you pop a film-roll | | | | is now ready. Stand it securely in an open lawn so that |
| canister off its lid by adding an effervescent tablet to | | | | it does not tip over. The best thing about online |
| water, is a chemical reaction. When a firecracker | | | | homeschool is that you can perform all your activities |
| bursts, there is a loud noise and a release of energy- | | | | in and around your home. |
| again, a chemical reaction. However, the online | | | | Now when you are ready for the spectacular geyser |
| homeschool experiment I will teach you is quite | | | | display, remove the tape and let the mints fall into the |
| explosive, yet it is a physical change. | | | | soda. What do you see? The soda will be thrown into |
| A physical change is one that does not involve any | | | | the air up to 10 to 15 feet high like a geyser. This will go |
| chemical combination, and no new substance is | | | | on for about 15 to 20 seconds till most of the soda is |
| formed. A chemical change is actually a chemical | | | | spewed out. |
| combination of two or more substances to form an | | | | How does this happen? In order to get the bubbly |
| entirely different substance. For example, chopping a | | | | soda you enjoy, carbon dioxide is pumped into the |
| block of wood into pieces is a physical change | | | | liquid under high pressure. This carbon dioxide gas |
| whereas burning a piece of wood is a chemical | | | | remains trapped in the liquid suspension and the |
| change. | | | | bubbles are released when you pour the drink into a |
| Today I am going to show you how to build a | | | | glass or when you shake the bottle. |
| mento-soda geyser, an experiment that I have included | | | | There is enough tension between the molecules of the |
| in the online homeschool curriculum that I have | | | | liquid to hold the bubbles confined. When you add the |
| designed. This is an experiment that has become one | | | | mints, this tension is broken by the sugar and gelatin in |
| of my favorites, and I have performed innumerable | | | | the mints. Carbon dioxide bubbles are released and get |
| times. | | | | deposited in the tiny pores on the surface of the mint. |
| Here It Is! Remember to gather some of your friends | | | | These bubbles grow in size and are released out of |
| to enjoy the geyser effect. | | | | the liquid. As there are many mints, the bubbles are |
| The Mento-Soda Geyser: Take a two liter soda | | | | multiplied and the pressure of the gas in the bottle |
| (preferably Diet Coke) bottle and spill out some coke | | | | begins to increase to such an extent that it escapes |
| to leave an empty space at the top. Drill a hole in the | | | | from the hole in the cap, taking with it the soda. |
| cap of the bottle. Now take a roll of mentos mints and | | | | This is a physical change as no new substance is |
| make holes in the center of each (about 8 to 10 mints). | | | | formed. Search through your online homeschool |
| Take the help of an adult to drill the holes. Tie a knot to | | | | curriculum for lessons and examples on physical |
| one end of a sewing thread and pass the thread | | | | change and chemical change. |
| through all the mints. | | | | Want some more exciting stuff? Your next step is to |
| Pass this thread under the bottle cap and tape the | | | | download a free copy of the "Homeschool Parent's |
| free end of the string to the top of the cap in such a | | | | Guide to Teaching Science" which is filled with great |
| way that when you screw the cap onto the bottle the | | | | science experiments and activities at the link below. |