Fizzy Colours

A simple but very effective experiment, to enthuse even the youngest scientist.

What you need:

• Vinegar
• Bicarbonate soda (baking soda)
• Different coloured food dyes
• Containers to mix, eg. cups, muffin tray

What to do:

1. Fill your cups or muffin trays about half way with vinegar.
2. Add a couple of drops of food dye to each cup.
3. Add a heaped teaspoon of bicarbonate soda to each cup.
4. Stand back and watch the fizz.

What happens:

When you add vinegar to bicarbonate soda, a chemical reaction happens where carbon dioxide (CO₂) is produced. This is a gas, and its production causes the bubbling – a really simple and fun experiment!