Subject: Science/Art
Objective: Students will make a working model of a volcano.
This is one way to make model of a working volcano. There are directions for many volcano models on the web and it is worth looking at different ones and if practical letting students chose which they prefer. There are simple clay models and more elaborate paper mache projects. This volcano requires salt dough, plastic soda bottle, baking pan, red food coloring, baking soda, and vinegar (
Build a Baking Soda Volcano
, http://chemistry.about.com/howtos/ht/buildavolcano.htm). It proved to be easy to make and to work with. It was safe to work with and students requested copies to use at home.
Procedure:
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1. In order to do this particular model you first need some salt dough which is made from mixing six cups of flour, two cups of salt, four tablespoons of cooking oil, and two cups of water. Mix the ingredients until the dough is smooth and firm. Add more water if necessary.
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2. Stand the bottle in the middle of the baking pan and model the dough around the bottle forming it into a volcano. Make sure that you do not cover the top of the bottle or drop any of the dough inside.
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3. Fill the bottle most of the way with water and the red food coloring.
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4. Then add six drops of the liquid detergent.
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5. Add two tablespoons of baking soda.
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6. Slowly pour in some vinegar and jump back quick.
The red lava flows down the side of the volcano because a chemical reaction between the baking soda and vinegar produces carbon dioxide gas which is also produced in a real volcano. The gas builds up and forces the lava out of the bottle (chamber) and down the sides of the volcano.
