Dry ice is a fun and fascinating substance that can be used to conduct a variety of science experiments. Here are 10 easy dry ice experiments that kids can try at home or in the classroom:
Materials: dry ice, warm water, dish soap, plastic bottle
Instructions:
- Place a small piece of dry ice in a plastic bottle.
- Add warm water and a few drops of dish soap.
- Quickly screw on the bottle cap and watch as the bottle fills with bubbles and then explodes.
This experiment demonstrates the properties of dry ice and the reaction it has with water.
- Foggy Bubbles
Materials: dry ice, warm water, bubble solution
Instructions:
- Mix warm water and bubble solution in a bowl.
- Add small pieces of dry ice to the mixture.
- Use a bubble wand to blow bubbles and watch as they fill with fog.
This experiment demonstrates the properties of dry ice and how it reacts with warm water and bubble solution.
- Smoking Volcano
Materials: dry ice, warm water, plastic bottle, red food coloring
Instructions:
- Place a small piece of dry ice in a plastic bottle.
- Add warm water and a few drops of red food coloring.
- Watch as the bottle fills with smoke, resembling a volcanic eruption.
This experiment demonstrates the properties of dry ice and the reaction it has with warm water.
- Dry Ice Balloons
Materials: dry ice, balloons, funnel
Instructions:
- Place small pieces of dry ice in a balloon using a funnel.
- Blow up the balloon and tie it closed.
- Watch as the balloon expands and contracts due to the reaction between the dry ice and air inside the balloon.
This experiment demonstrates the properties of dry ice and how it reacts with air.
Materials: dry ice, warm water, bubble solution
Instructions:
- Mix warm water and bubble solution in a bowl.
- Dip a bubble wand into the mixture and blow a bubble.
- Catch the bubble on a piece of dry ice and watch as it freezes.
This experiment demonstrates how dry ice can freeze objects, in this case, bubbles.
- Magic Spoon
Materials: dry ice, spoon, warm water
Instructions:
- Dip a spoon into warm water.
- Touch the wet spoon to a small piece of dry ice and watch as the spoon starts to vibrate and make a humming sound.
This experiment demonstrates the properties of dry ice and how it can cause objects to vibrate.
- Dry Ice Ice Cream
Materials: heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, dry ice
Instructions:
- Mix heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl.
- Gradually add small pieces of dry ice to the mixture, stirring constantly.
- Watch as the mixture turns into ice cream due to the reaction with the dry ice.
This experiment demonstrates how dry ice can be used to make ice cream.
- Exploding Colors
Materials: dry ice, warm water, food coloring, plastic cups
Instructions:
- Fill plastic cups with warm water and add a few drops of food coloring to each.
- Add small pieces of dry ice to each cup and watch as the colors explode and mix together.
This experiment demonstrates the properties of dry ice and how it can cause reactions with other substances.
- Dancing Bubbles
Materials: dry ice, warm water, plastic cup, straw
Instructions:
- Add warm water to a plastic cup.
- Place a small piece of dry ice in the cup and use a straw to blow bubbles.
- Watch as the bubbles dance and move due to the reaction with the dry ice.
This experiment demonstrates how dry ice can cause bubbles to move and dance.
Materials: dry ice, film canister, warm water
Instructions:
- Add small pieces of dry ice and warm water to a film canister.
- Quickly snap the lid onto the canister and place it upside down on a flat surface.
- Watch as the canister shoots off like a rocket due to the reaction with the dry ice.
This experiment demonstrates how dry ice can be used to create a chemical reaction that propels an object.
In conclusion, dry ice can be a fun and educational tool for conducting science experiments with kids. By trying these 10 easy dry ice experiments, kids can learn about the properties of this unique substance and how it reacts with other materials.