Experiment 10: The Volcano

We actually do this experiment fairly frequently. We
first did this last January. Then we made volcanoes again
for our Natural Disasters unit (when we studied hurricanes,
volcanoes, tornadoes, tsunamis and things like that). We
had the perfect opportunity to do this experiment again
along with the Bubble Bombs when a friend was over for
a play this afternoon.

I'm sure you know how, but if not:

A few days ago, we made the volcano from the top of a
coke bottle. Then we inserted a plastic cup that had a bit of
air-drying clay around the rim to make a good seal within
the "volcano".

We covered the bottle with paper mache: (mix 1/2 cup
flour, 1/2 cup water and add 2 cups boiling water. Mix
together, let it cool. Dip 1-inch strips of newspaper into
the flour paste and place it on the bottle). After it dried
for a day or two we painted it brown.

Lava:
1) place baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) in the bottle
2) pour in a mixture of vinegar, red food dye and dish
washing soap (for extra foaming action)