How to make a chemical volcano

The baking soda and vinegar volcano resembles a real volcanic irruption, which is an example of an acid-base reaction. It is simple and fun for kids science experiment. 

The chemical vinegar  and baking soda produces carbon dioxide gas which forms bubbles in the dish-washing detergent. The chemicals used are non-toxic making this experiment a good choice for scientists of all ages.

Reagents and Equipment

• Flour (3 cups)
• Salt (1 cup)
• Water (1 cup)
• Cooking oil (2 table spoon)
• Empty drink bottle
• Pan or plate
• Food coloring
• Dish-washing detergent
• Baking soda 
• vinegar 

Procedure

1. For preparing the volcano dough, mix 3 cups of flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup water and 2 table spoon cooking oil. Stir the dough well with your own hands or with a spoon until it becomes smooth if you like add a few drops of food coloring to the dough to make the volcano colored 
2. Fill the empty drink bottle with hot water. Then add dish-washing detergent and baking soda. Also you can add food coloring too. Set the bottle in the center of  a pan. Press the dough around the bottle and shape it to a volcano.
3. Pour some vinegar into the bottle. Then you can see the volcano begins to erupt with the overflow of lava. You can trigger the reaction by adding more baking soda and vinegar.
4. Spills can be clean up with warm soapy water.

Note: Don't try to eat the volcano even though chemicals used are non-toxic

Process

The reaction between baking soda and vinegar is merely an acid-base reaction

NaHCO3 + CH3COOH → CO2 + H2O + Na+ + CH3COO-

break down it as:

NaHCO3 → Na+ + HCO3-

CH3COOH → H+ + CH3COO-

H+ + HCO2- → H2CO3

H2CO3 → H2O + CO2

CO2 gas is responsible for the fizzing and bubbling during the irruption