It’s been rather cold here at Fun Science recently! We have decided to beat the chill by making our own snow that doesn’t make your hands cold and is a bit more exciting – erupting snow! It’s fun, messy and easy to do at home!

You will need:

• Bicarbonate of Soda
• Shampoo/conditioner (supermarket own brand will be fine!)
• Vinegar
• Cup
• Bowl
• Wooden Spoon

Method:

• Put 1 cup of bicarbonate of soda into the bowl.
• Add 1/2 cup of shampoo and mix.
• If the mixture is too wet, add more bicarb and if it is too dry, add more shampoo.
• Build something out of your snow!
• When you have finished building, take 1/2 a cup of vinegar and pour it onto the ‘snow’ and watch it erupt!

The Science Bit:

Bicarbonate of soda is an alkali and vinegar is an acid, that acids and alkalis are opposites! When they mix they create a chemical reaction, in this case it creates bubbles of carbon dioxide gas. The shampoo just makes it extra foamy!

Why not try:

• Adding some food colouring to make rainbow snow!
• Try changing the measurements to see if it affects the reaction!
• Are there any other alkalis / acids you could use?