Popping Fun

Recently, my science class preformed a lab experiment using vinegar, baking soda, a test tube and a cork. During this lab we had to create a chemical reaction by adding baking soda to a test tube full of vinegar. Our goal was to hit the window at the other side of the room. For our first try, we used 20 mL of vinegar and 20 mL of baking soda. That try, we hit the window. Every other try after that, we used the same amount of baking soda as vinegar. Three out of seven trys we hit the window. I learned that if you measured the right amount of vinegar and used all of the baking soda, the cork will hit the window, easily. Also, the sucess of hitting the window would depend on the angle of the test tube when the cork is released. If the test tube was angled too low, the cork would hit the celing causing the cork to drop to the floor. If the release point was too low, the cork would shoot straight to the ground. Over all, this experiment was a fun, enjoyable experience, but I also learned many interesting lessons about chemical reactions.