Carbon Dioxide Candle - Demonstration
Put out a candle using carbon dioxide created by mixing vinegar and baking soda and learn about the states of matter and invisible gases!
What You Need
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- 2 cups
- Candle
- Lighter
Guide:
Safety Notes
Be careful when using an open flame. Ensure that children are a safe distance away from the flame at all times.
What To Do
- Using your lighter, light your candle.
- Grab an empty cup and "pour" whatever is in the cup over the candle - nothing should happen.
- Now put some baking soda and vinegar in your other cup and a reaction should take place, you should see bubbling taking place. This indicates that a gas is being produced - carbon dioxide.
- Slowly and carefully take your cup with the vinegar and baking soda and "pour" the gas that was created into the empty cup. Do this carefully because you don't want any of the liquid to get into the cup, the carbon dioxide is resting on top of the liquid and you just want this to go into the empty glass. It should look as though you are pouring nothing into the cup, but carbon dioxide gas will transfer to the cup.
- Take your cup filled with carbon dioxide gas and "pour" it over your lit candle. Watch as the candle becomes extinguished!
Discovery
Mixing vinegar and baking soda creates carbon dioxide gas. Carbon dioxide gas is heavier than air and therefore should stay in the cup just above the vinegar and baking soda mixture. When you pour just the carbon dioxide into a new cup it will look as though you are pouring nothing at all. Then use this cup and pour your carbon dioxide over the flame, thus suffocating the candle and removing the oxygen!
What's Happening?
Mixing vinegar and baking soda creates carbon dioxide gas. Carbon dioxide gas is heavier than air and therefore should stay in the cup just above the vinegar and baking soda mixture. When you pour just the carbon dioxide into a new cup it will look as though you are pouring nothing at all. Then use this cup and pour your carbon dioxide over the flame, thus suffocating the candle and removing the oxygen!