Dancing candy canes

Wow, where did the Christmas break go? It is time to clean everything up and put it away for yet another year. I keep discovering things everywhere an wonder where they have come from. I do not know about all of you but I still have a TON of candy canes lying around now that the holidays have past. Of course, what better way to make good use of them but by doing some fun hands on science experiments? Let’s get started!

*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

- vinegar

- water

- baking soda - measuring spoons - measuring cups - candy canes

- tall clear glass

Procedure

1. Measure and add 125 mL (1/2 cup) of vinegar to the tall clear glass.

2. Add 30 mL (2 tablespoons) of baking soda to the water and mix well.

3. Measure 125 mL (1/2) cup) of vinegar and set aside for now.

4. Crush up a few candy canes and add them to the glass.

5. Carefully pour the vinegar down the side of the glass.

6. Watch what happens.

7. Add more vinegar if necessary.

What is going on?

When you mix vinegar with baking soda a chemical reaction occurs and carbon dioxide is formed. Carbon dioxide are the bubbles you see bouncing around in the glass. As the bubbles rise to the top, they help lift the candy canes making them dance around the glass! As the bubbles “fall off” of the candy cane, the pieces of candy fall back to the bottom of the glass. This can go on as long as you want it to!

Patty Rooks, Senior Scientific Consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community”. Contact Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. Address: #12 826 11 Street S. E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403-527-5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca.