A classic science project for students is to create a volcano model. Typically, this project employs the chemical reaction that occurs when baking soda comes into contact with vinegar to demonstrate the mechanics of an eruption. If you are making such a model and wish to add a dose of realism to it, you may want to have some smoke rising from your volcano's crater prior to the eruption. However, there are many obvious hazards associated with creating fire and smoke indoors. Fortunately, using some dry ice, you can create the visual effect of smoke with a relative degree of safety.
- Volcano model
- Cup of water
- Small cube of dry ice
- Heavy gloves
- Tongs
Exercise extreme caution when handling the dry ice. It can cause frostbite if it comes into contact with unprotected skin.
Fill a small cup with water and place it within the crater of your volcano model. Pack it into the baking soda to keep it in place if you are planning to make it erupt.
Put on your gloves and take the dry ice out of its container using tongs.
Drop the dry ice into the cup of water to create rising wisps of smoke without the hazards of a fire.
Things You'll Need
Warnings
References
Warnings
- Exercise extreme caution when handling the dry ice. It can cause frostbite if it comes into contact with unprotected skin.
About the Author
Matthew Weeks has been a public policy and technology writer since 2003. He has been published on Men's News Daily and Free Republic. Weeks holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the College of New Jersey and a master's degree in public policy from Rutgers.
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