We had a week filled with wild experiments and reactions in Science! Our 8th graders spent the last couple of days putting some properties of chemistry to the test! 

For the first experiment called Can Crush, students observed a phase change in water (liquid to gas) due to heat from the hot plates. Once students saw the water vapor escaping from the can on the hot plate, tongs were used to remove the heated can. Next, the students flipped the heated can which contained water vapor molecules, into a bowl of ice water. Due to the extreme temperature change, the water vapor inside of the can is converted back into a liquid state. After this happens, there is no longer any pressure on the inside of the can pushing out; therefore, the atmospheric pressure is much greater and crushes the can before our very eyes!! When the students lifted the can out of the water we noticed a bunch of water drip out of the can. This was another phase change from gas to liquid! The next experiment involved fire! In this demonstration known as Fire Snake, students observed how the introduction of fire can cause a chemical reaction or a change in the substance. For this lab, we used sand, sugar, baking soda and lighter fluid. In an aluminum pan, students laid out a bed of sand. This sand was to help contain the fire. Next, students mixed a solution of sugar and baking soda. Once the two components were mixed, the teacher sprayed down the sand with lighter fluid. After the sand was sprayed down, students dumped the sugar and baking soda mixture onto the sand which was then lit on fire with a lighter. When the sugar and baking soda in the experiment combusts, they are chemically changed into water vapor, sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide. The pressure created by the carbon dioxide pushes the sodium carbonate out, which creates the black carbon snake. This reaction is referred to as the dehydration of sugar. This experiment felt like we were watching an alien come to life! The third experiment made quite the rukkus! For Exploding Baggies we had zip-lock bags that we filled with some vinegar and food coloring (to add a little extra fun to the visual). Next, baking soda was placed on a paper towel which was then folded up like a pouch. Now for the fun part. The pouch of baking soda was added to the bag of vinegar and sealed up quickly! When we sealed the bag, it was shaken up to disperse the baking soda into the vinegar which would kickstart our reaction! The combination of baking soda and vinegar causes carbon dioxide production; but since the bag was sealed it blew up like a balloon! The bag grew bigger and bigger until, BOOM! These are just a few of the incredible experiments our scholars were a part of throughout this past week!