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8th Grade Experiment With Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that can cause damage to our planet's atmosphere, but in a science classroom it can function as the basis for some fun and educational experiments. When frozen, CO2 is better known as dry ice because of its subzero temperature and strange properties in comparison to normal ice. Dry ice is inexpensive. According to Brian Wesley Rich's science website "the price for ten pounds is around six dollars," and can be purchased at many places that sell regular ice. With the proper safety equipment, it is perfect for middle school science experiments.
  1. Small Container Full of CO2

    • This experiment requires a small piece of dry ice be placed within a small plastic container. Certain containers may blow up, so it's best to work with one that has a removable lid that can be forced off by the CO2. Old style film cases work the best, but other similar containers may also work. Let the pressure from the CO2 build inside the container for a few minutes and then watch as the lid flies off into the air. As with all dry ice experiments, safety gloves and goggles should be worn.

    Turning Water into Soda

    • Fill a regular 12 oz glass with tap water to get this experiment started. Drop in a few slivers or cubes (depending upon your supply) of dry ice. Let the students watch the dry ice begin to dissolve and combine with the water. After the cubes are done melting, break up any deposits that have formed. Offer a taste to any of the brave students after you demonstrate how harmless it is. What your drinking should be a weak soda water with carbonation added by the CO2 from the dry ice.

    Spoon Trick

    • Warm a spoon over a stove or Bunsen burner for about a minute. Take the heated spoon and press it into a block of dry ice. You should hear a strange high pitched noise or hissing coming from the two objects touching. As the hot spoon melts through the dry ice and pressure pushes it away, it vibrates back and forth causing a sort of whistle or screaming that should be apparent to everyone around.

    CO2 Soap Bubbles

    • You'll need a glass of warm water and some soap along with your dry ice for this experiment. Fill the glass with the warm water and add a small amount of liquid dish soap. Place a piece or two of dry ice inside the glass and wait for the fun to start. Bubbles will begin flying out of the glass and exploding loudly and leaving a trail of smoke just outside of or near the lip.

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